Grenada

I am indeed honoured to join previous delegations in congratulating Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa on her election as President of the Assembly at this sixty-first session. Let me assure her of Grenada’s support as she guides these important deliberations towards the implementation of a global partnership for development. My delegation would also like to pay tribute to Mr. Jan Eliasson, Foreign Minister of Sweden, who laboured tirelessly during his presidency of the sixtieth session, and for his efforts in guiding the follow-up process to the Summit Outcome. My delegation welcomes the Secretary-General’s tenth and final report, which gives a comprehensive review of the Organization’s achievements, challenges and preparation for the future. It is fitting at this juncture to convey to the Secretary-General the appreciation of the Government and people of Grenada for his sterling contribution to world peace and security during his tenure at the helm of this Organization. The road was not always smooth, but with his calm disposition, unmistakable eloquence and astute and dedicated leadership, the Organization was able to overcome the rough patches. We heartily commend his efforts to strengthen the United Nations through the reform process, and wish him well in his future endeavours. We meet in very difficult times. The effects of rapid technological changes, new geopolitical and economic alliances, evolving rules in international trade, and in particular security concerns, continue to grip ordinary citizens in our small countries and regions, worsening the notion of an uncertain future. My delegation believes that this year’s theme of implementing a global partnership for development is timely and one which, if we work together, will enhance our economies in all of their aspects. It is for that reason that, within our region, we have taken the necessary steps in response to the challenges we face by deepening our integration arrangements with the creation of the Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy. Recognizing the changing trends related to the movement of skills, Grenada has placed great emphasis on the economic 06-53615 12 empowerment of its young people, as well as on the creation of a more diverse and non-traditional job sector. Having lost much of our traditional agriculture through natural disasters and the changing global environment, we have been forced to create alternatives through global partnerships. Since the adoption of the Millennium Declaration, we have encountered untold challenges in attempting to achieve the prescribed goals. As this body is well aware, Grenada, as one of the small States which hold membership in this Organization, has on many occasions relied not only on our immediate regional partners, but also on the wider membership and respective United Nations agencies during some very difficult and trying times. Our most recent past is not yet overcome, since we are still rebuilding our shattered economy following the devastation of two hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. However, despite those challenges, we pledge to continue to work towards the achievement of some of the Millennium Development Goals. We have made significant strides in our efforts to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. along with improvements in education, poverty eradication and environmental sustainability. Grenada has over the years worked closely and successfully with the United Nations agencies in our region. Therefore, we are hopeful that, during this session, no effort will be spared to ensure the sustainability of those agencies. My delegation has on numerous occasions made reference to the unfortunate reality that special and differential treatment for small and vulnerable economies is fast becoming a thing of the past. We have seen decreases in financial and technical support from traditional partners, and a reduction in the market for trade in goods and services. In that vein, the suspension of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations in July 2006 was a major setback for my country. International trade and reduction in poverty are inextricably linked to development. Greater market access for products from developing countries can lead to economic growth and higher standards of living. Grenada therefore looks forward to the resumption of those negotiations. In the past few months, the United Nations has been encumbered with the task of maintaining peace and security in many parts of the world. My delegation commends the efforts made in that respect and welcomes the creation of the Peacebuilding Commission, which will assist States in the post- conflict era. We extend condolences to the families of those brave men and women who lost their lives in the service of the organization. Grenada is proud to be a police-contributing country with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and looks forward to continuing its involvement in that area. My delegation is well aware that this Organization will have to increase its efforts in combating terrorism, and welcomes the recently agreed Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy as a positive step in that regard. Grenada makes it clear that it uncompromisingly condemns terrorism and all acts of violence, and pledges its full cooperation in combating that phenomenon. Though my delegation is supportive of those measures, as a small island developing State we are faced with serious financial and technical constraints in maintaining continued peace and security within our region. The measures we have implemented in that respect will be tested as we host the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean. My delegation, in applauding the creation of the Human Rights Council, is hopeful that the new body will be able through its work to ensure that democracy and good governance are observed in all their aspects. We fully support the Secretary- General’s sentiments that mainstreaming all human rights, including the right to development, is necessary, and support to Member States in their efforts to build stronger national systems for the promotion and protection of human rights is of extreme importance. Grenada was indeed honoured to participate at the highest level in the launching of the new Central Emergency Response Fund earlier this year and to lend its support to the growth of the Fund. We commend the work of the Organization in that regard and are well aware of the importance of maintaining and supporting the Fund, especially since, globally, there has been an increase in natural and humanitarian disasters. We are pleased with the decision to expand the relationship outside of the membership to include the private, individual and non-governmental sectors. We call on the international community to honour its responsibility and commitment to the full 13 06-53615 implementation of the Mauritius Strategy and to support programmes in our region related to early warning systems, the Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, and vulnerability reduction, while at the same time building resilience. My delegation has taken note of the resolution on development. However, we are disappointed that this aspect of the Summit Outcome has not progressed with the kind of vigour we would have welcomed. That is of special importance to countries like my own, since support for development objectives is paramount to our economic sustainability. We cannot fail to reiterate our vulnerability and call for swift action at this session in order to ensure the stability of our small societies. My delegation salutes the Secretary-General’s efforts to strengthen the Organization through its engagement with civil society and other non-State actors, and agrees that they are important to the legitimacy of democratic ideals. Grenada has increased its efforts to strengthen the relationship between Government and the private sector through partnerships in trade, education, health, tourism and investment activities, and has already seen positive results from this type of engagement, especially in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes. 2007 will mark the bicentenary of the passage of the act abolishing the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the British empire, and it is anticipated that the General Assembly will hold a commemorative event to mark that historic occasion. The members of the Caribbean Community will submit a draft resolution to the General Assembly, and we expect the full support of all Member States in that regard. We, along with other members of the Caribbean Community, feel compelled on a regular basis to make the plea for special attention to be paid to the threat facing the Caribbean Sea. Grenada therefore takes this opportunity to reiterate its concerns over the transshipment of nuclear waste and other hazardous material through the marine environment of the Caribbean. The Caribbean Sea provides for us a lifeline, the potential loss of which could be enormous to our people’s livelihood. As we are well aware, loss of economic opportunities brings with it poverty and social unrest and ultimately threatens democracy — a solid tradition on which the Caribbean Community continues to pride itself. We therefore urge understanding and solidarity with our cause. My delegation applauds the Organization for its work in the areas of reform and looks forward to the continuation of that process, especially in the areas of development, Economic and Social Council reform, Secretariat and management reform, Security Council reform, system-wide coherence, disarmament and non- proliferation, and other areas that have received only partial attention. Let us pursue with vigour our work in ensuring that this body finds ways not only to sustain, but to continue to build on the successes of its past achievements. The many challenges that we all now face make it necessary that we work together to make the planet a better place for future generations. Let us, then, commit ourselves to cooperating with and supporting each other in the journey towards genuine development. Finally, my delegation, having listened to the debate over the past few days, is heartened by the pledges of support and is convinced that, together, we can make it work to our collective benefit. Grenada is pleased to join in that pledge and looks forward to working with the Organization and its partners in attaining that goal.