I wish to begin by
congratulating the President on his assumption of the
presidency at this session of the General Assembly. I
pledge Latvia’s full support to him.
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of a
unique peaceful demonstration, namely, the Baltic
Way. On 23 August 1989, more than 1 million people
joined hands in a 600-kilometre-long human chain
across the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania. That event was dedicated to the fiftieth
anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between
the Stalinist Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. The Pact
was another mile marker leading to the Second World
War and the occupation of the three Baltic States.
The Baltic Way served as a powerful symbol of
the drive for democracy and freedom in our three
States. The importance of the Baltic Way was so
substantial that the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization added it to the
Memory of the World Register. The message of the
Baltic Way is very clear, namely, that if people and
countries truly commit to a common goal, and if they
join their efforts, even the most difficult challenge can
be met successfully.
A look at today’s world reveals that never before
has international cooperation been so important. Never
before have we faced such a multitude of simultaneous
critical challenges of global significance. Many phrases
have been coined to describe the most severe problems:
the “three Es” crisis, for energy, economy and
environment, and the “three Fs” crisis, for finance,
food and fuel. But no matter what name we use we
must remember that those global issues require urgent
and concerted action at the global level.
Since we met here last year, the financial crisis
has turned into a global economic crisis. It has struck
the world with its full strength. Consequences are
being felt by every State and by every economy. They
have an effect on international policy and make us
reconsider domestic policies as well. Latvia has
undertaken painful but necessary adjustments to the
downturn. We have learned our lessons. I am confident
that our economy and the entire global economic
system will come out of the crisis stronger than before.
Current realities are serving to underline the
values of inclusiveness, tolerance and compassion, not
only domestically but also in the international arena. It
is self-evident that we can tackle the challenges only
by joint efforts. We should use the crisis as a catalyst
for looking beyond our individual gains. We should
therefore use it to look at how we can promote an open
international trade system. We hope for the prompt
conclusion of the long-overdue round of talks on the
Doha Development Agenda.
Development is hard in times of crisis.
Developing countries are particularly severely affected
by its negative effects. We are well aware of the risk of
jeopardizing what has been done in achieving the
Millennium Development Goals. We must not give up.
Latvia is honouring its commitments to achieving the
Millennium Development Goals.
Climate change is a global challenge that needs to
be tackled at the global level. The United Nations
Summit on Climate Change has demonstrated that it is
important to reach a comprehensive and fair agreement
on future global climate policy at the Copenhagen
Conference, to be held in December of this year. Such
an agreement should follow the principle of common
but differentiated responsibilities. Every country
should contribute according to its capabilities, but the
political will of every nation is what matters most.
The stability and security situation in a number of
countries and regions of the world is of particular
concern to the global community. Afghanistan is
certainly one of them. The holding of presidential
elections in a fragile security situation was a
significant achievement by the Afghan people. It is
crucial to pursue balanced international involvement in
21 09-52425
Afghanistan, which should include both a civilian
surge and military efforts. We must continue our
assistance to Afghanistan and other countries in the
region in order to prevent the threat of festering
terrorism. It is important to understand that the value
of local knowledge of the situation and of regional
involvement cannot be overestimated. We remain
committed to the rebuilding process in Afghanistan
while paying special attention to upgrading its
infrastructure and strengthening its economy. Latvia
has contributed both military and civilian assistance to
the development of Afghanistan.
Achieving peace in the Middle East is another
issue that remains at the top of the international
agenda. The two-State idea will become a reality only
when the Israeli Government sincerely works to make
it one. It will become a sustainable reality only when
Palestinian leaders settle their own differences in the
interests of their people. This year, Latvia provided a
rehabilitation programme for 18 Palestinian boys and
girls. They came to Latvia to participate in our
rehabilitation programme for traumatized children
from the Gaza Strip. Those children came to overcome
the psychological impact of the conflict they
experienced earlier this year.
Latvia would like to reiterate its firm support for
the security and stability of Georgia, which must be
based on full respect for the principles of
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as
recognized by international law. The security situation
in and around Georgia is still very fragile. We regret
that the Security Council failed to agree on the
continuation of the United Nations Observer Mission
in Georgia. Unfortunately, despite all the efforts by the
international community, the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was forced to close
its Mission in Georgia.
As a result, this year we lost two important
international instruments for promoting stability and
peaceful conflict resolution in Georgia. Latvia strongly
believes that the international community should
continue to look for a solution. We should work to
secure a full and effective United Nations and OSCE
presence in Georgia, including in Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. Meanwhile, it is ever more important to
strengthen the only remaining international mission,
namely, the European Union Monitoring Mission in
Georgia, which has convincingly proven its pivotal role
in stabilizing the situation on the ground. We would
also like to stress the importance of the resolution on
the status of internally displaced persons and refugees
from the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. The resolution is an important show of
commitment to fundamental humanitarian principles.
Choosing leadership is the right and the
responsibility of the people. We recently witnessed the
post-electoral crisis in Iran. We are concerned about
the deteriorating human rights situation and the violent
crackdowns there. If the Iranian Government seeks
recognition as the representative of its people, it should
respect human rights. If the Iranian Government seeks
the respect of the international community, it should
comply with the relevant resolutions of the Security
Council. By doing so, Iran could become a genuine
contributor to peace and stability in the whole region.
Latvia has been steadfast in the global efforts to
combat the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. We are sure that the 2010 Review
Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will be an
important milestone in that process. Latvia is
convinced that it will promote the aims of
non-proliferation, disarmament and the use of nuclear
energy for exclusively peaceful purposes.
This fall we will celebrate the sixtieth
anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions. The
character of armed conflict is constantly changing, and
new challenges, such as terrorism, arise. Still, the
Geneva Conventions remain the bedrock of
international humanitarian law. Unfortunately, the
political will to fully implement the Conventions
remains insufficient. Violations of the provisions of the
Conventions and the norms of human rights law still
occur.
Latvia therefore strongly supports the
International Criminal Court. It is a mechanism
designed to fight impunity and to promote compliance
with the norms of international law. Latvia commends
the work of the Court. We also call on all States to
fully cooperate with it.
Mr. Gomes (Guinea-Bissau), Vice-President, took
the Chair.
The concept of the responsibility to protect was
agreed upon at the 2005 World Summit. Latvia
supports that concept. It is important to work towards
its implementation. It would help us to create a world
09-52425 22
order where inactivity in the face of mass atrocities
becomes a thing of the past.
Three years ago, the General Assembly decided
to establish the Human Rights Council. The Council
has already achieved some results. The Universal
Periodic Review mechanism is one of its most notable
successes. However, we believe that that process can
be further improved to avoid abuse of its shortcomings
in methodology and practice. The Human Rights
Council will undergo a review in 2011. We believe that
the Council can become even more credible, as well as
an effective body for the promotion and protection of
human rights.
Latvia has a long-standing commitment and
experience with promoting human rights. We are ready
to share our experience in that area with the
international community. Latvia has therefore put
forward its candidacy for the Human Rights Council
for the year 2014.
Latvia has always supported the strengthening of
the United Nations. The reform of the Security
Council, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and
legitimacy of its work, is an important part of the
overall reform of the United Nations. The composition
of the Security Council must reflect the realities and
dynamics of today’s world. Latvia welcomes the
beginning of intergovernmental negotiations on
Security Council reform. We also emphasize the
importance of continued progress in that area.
We note with concern that, at a time of global
recession, the United Nations budget is increasing
considerably. It is important to prioritize activities and
to continue the reform of the United Nations. We
would also like to see more transparency and budgetary
discipline in the process of budget planning and
implementation.
Latvia is a candidate for next year’s elections to
the Economic and Social Council. We are willing to
share our experience in addressing global challenges,
such as sustainable development, poverty eradication,
the implementation of good governance and the rule of
law, fundamental freedoms and environmental stability.
Latvia is already building up its expertise on the
functional commissions and activities related to the
mandate of the Council. We are an active participant in
the United Nations Forum on Forests, the Commission
on Science and Technology for Development, the
Statistical Commission, and the Commission on
Sustainable Development.
The United Nations is the only truly universal
forum for dialogue and action. All States, big and
small, have the responsibility to contribute to the
fruitful work of the United Nations. Let me assure the
President that Latvia is ready to work closely with him
and all Member States to make the sixty-fourth session
of the General Assembly a successful one.