| by G. L. Peiris
Address
to the General Debate of the 67th Session of the United Nations
General Assembly, Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
( October 2, 2012,
New York City, Sri Lanka Guardian) On behalf of the Government of the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, I congratulate Your
Excellency, on your election as the President of the 67th
Session of the UN General Assembly. Your proven skills and charming personality
leave no room for doubt, that under your able leadership we will achieve our
goals for this session.
Sri Lanka is also
pleased to endorse the theme proposed by you for this year’s high-level debate
“Adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful
means in the multilateral global governance system” - a most appropriate theme
in these trying times.
The United Nations
has provided the premier forum for 67 years for the resolution of international
disputes and the negotiation of landmark global goals. In fact, many conflicting aspirations of Member
States have been reconciled through the intervention of the United Nations or
through the auspices of this august body and its agencies. Some disputes, unfortunately, have taken time
to resolve, or remain unresolved, but overall, the results have contributed to longevity
of this institution. The United Nations provides an extensive range of options
for resolving international disputes and achieving common goals. It is a forum for
negotiations, it provides mediation options and good offices, and it is where principled
solutions are found. The International Court of Justice provides the major
judicial mechanism for the resolution of inter-state disputes.
In the conduct of international relations, Sri Lanka,
a founding member of the NAM, firmly
upholds the tenets of peaceful co-existence, mutual respect for each others’
sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs
of other states, and equality and mutual benefit. Sri Lanka believes that in
the settlement of international disputes, action must be based on the
fundamental principle of sovereign equality of states, a principle firmly enshrined
in the Charter of the United Nations. The noticeable recent tendency to selectively
and arbitrarily intervene in the internal affairs of states flies in the face
of this principle and dilutes the confidence so carefully nurtured in the UN
system.
The global
financial crisis has posed a major challenge to the entire international
community. It originated in the financial hubs of the world
and created serious existential challenges worldwide, in particular, to developing
countries. The cavalier attitudes of the financial markets in developed
countries, operating without proper regulation, have resulted in the disruption
of millions of lives and the social fabric of many societies. The number enduring
extreme poverty has been augmented by millions. Full recovery from this crisis remains
an uncertainty, as unemployment and debt remain at unsustainably high levels, complicated
further by the devaluation of reserve currencies. The cumulative impact of this
financial meltdown in developed countries has deeply impacted on the efforts of
these countries to achieve transformational socio-economic change and has also
impeded progress in realising the internationally agreed development goals,
including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In this context,
it is of the greatest importance to ensure that any strategies employed to achieve recovery, do not impose
unjustifiable burdens on developing countries, as they strive to achieve better
living conditions for their people. A recovery without uplifting the developing
countries simultaneously will be unsustainable. It is paradoxical that it is
the same countries where the financial crisis originated, which now seek to
provide policy prescriptions to others. While the end result is still in the realm of
uncertainty, global discussions continue
and the voices of developing countries are an important element in this. Concerns
expressed at these negotiations and consultations must be reflected in any new
policy guidelines adopted. There cannot
be a “one size fits all” approach. The views of all and the experiences of the
successful, especially the newly emerging economies, must be taken into
account.
It is noted that many countries of
the South have weathered the financial storm successfully. The lessons learnt
from the previous crises have served them well and precautionary measures to
minimize the negative impacts of the current crisis have been taken. These
experiences must also be an important element in the eventual solutions
developed. Sri Lanka’s economy, which has been carefully managed during this
period, is one of the Asian economies which
has recorded impressive gains. A growth rate of 8.2% was achieved in
2011. Since the end of the conflict in 2009, the areas formerly controlled
by the terrorists, the Northern Province, recorded a 27% GDP growth in 2011.
The exponential boom in agriculture and fisheries has contributed substantially
to this result.
A
significant aspect of the process of addressing the financial crises, must be a
restructuring of the global financial architecture. It is important to note
that global financial power has shifted over recent times from the
industrialized North to the power houses of the South. It is imperative that
the global financial institutions reflect these tectonic changes in the
international arena. They must now be reflected in the global structures,
including the UN, its agencies and other multilateral institutions. The UN can
play an important role towards achieving
this end.
We
are at a significant juncture in human history when climate change looms as the
greatest challenge to the very existence of humanity. The future of our
children is at stake. Carbon Dioxide emission levels, historically caused largely
by a small number of industrialized countries, have impacted adversely on the
climate and have given rise to global
warming and climate change. It may be too late already. Recurrent droughts,
uneven rain, glacier melt, receding polar ice, sea level rise, unusual weather
patterns, all seem to suggest a global environment in crisis. A substantial
majority of scientists agree. Many
developing countries, including my own, are still struggling to regain lost
opportunities and improve the livelihood of their people while staring global
warming in the face. Our carbon footprint also remains negligible. It is imperative that the developed world deliver
on its solemn undertakings to assist developing countries, as we seek the
common goal of arresting climate change caused by human induced causes.
The
North - South divide, ideological differences and resource gaps remain a
hindrance to global equity and the advancement of humankind. There are
vulnerable countries which are struggling to develop their national
infrastructures despite being handicapped by inadequate natural resources,
limited access to technology and a lack of opportunities to engage in
international markets. Our common challenge, and, here the UN must play a central
role, is to identify how we can formulate practical common policies to achieve
our social goals, reduce poverty and maintain gender equity while protecting
the environment for future generations. The countries of the North have a major
role to play here.
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development- Rio+20, held in June this year demonstrated the efficacy of the UN
processes. It resulted in a global compromise, including the acknowledgement of
the “common but differentiated” principle, and inspired hopes of securing
policy approaches to address the multifaceted and, sometimes conflicting,
developmental concerns in the context of environmental sustainability. While
the end result may not satisfy the lofty expectations of all countries,
including my own, it has provided a solid foundation for us to persevere to achieve
higher goals through a global negotiation process. The advancement of these
policies and approaches is expected to further contribute to creating a
sustainable world for both present and future generations.
The potential of the
green economy will be less attractive if we do not clearly understand its
long-term consequences at a national level on sustainable economic strategies.
The transition to a green economy must not generate negative externalities that
would retard economic growth, perpetuate societal inequity and poverty.
Assistance to developing countries under North-South Development co-operation
mechanisms must take into account global initiatives to mitigate the adverse
consequences of too rigid an application of green economic principles. The
efforts of developing countries themselves in this regard must be recognized
and further facilitated. My own country has successfully conserved a
significant percentage of its forest cover, almost 22% of the land area, with the
goal of increasing it to 35% by 2020. The use of CFCs has been eliminated.
We have also successfully ensured that a herd of over 7,000 elephants still
remain in the wild despite the hunger for land by an expanding population. Our
carbon foot print is a meagre 0.6 tons per head. Simultaneously, we will achieve the goal of
energy for all in 2012 while realizing a 20% saving through efficiency measures.
Sustainable Development Goals should not only
have clear links to the MDGs, but must also reflect emerging global development
challenges. Mutually agreed elevated SDG benchmarks would further stimulate
development partnerships especially in the form of South-South co-operation.
However, such partnerships must complement rather than be an alternative, to
North-South development co-operation.
As Member States
of the UN, we must respect the principles patiently negotiated by the
international community: the equality of rights, the equal sovereignty of all
States, and the right to development, as underlined in the Rio+20 outcome
document. The interests of the developing world must be protected. Hence, no
constraining conditions should be
applied to development models or approaches adopted by Member States which
could prevent the achievement of sustainable development while eradicating
poverty.
The middle-income
countries are the main driving force for strengthening our global economy. Sri
Lanka’s balanced socio-economic policy strategies propelled us to
middle-income status a few years ago. As we have repeatedly emphasized, the
entry of
countries to middle-income status
does not by itself provide a resolution to the issue of poverty and other
developmental challenges.
The success in
achieving sustainable development worldwide depends on the sustainable
development measures of individual countries. Some specific challenges require
close attention and appropriate assistance within the framework of
international cooperation. In this regard, the responsibility of middle-income
countries to receive effective international assistance should be re-enforced
by the UN system and other development cooperation mechanisms.
I
wish to mention that Sri Lanka employs a unique development strategy that
empowers citizens, with special attention to social development needs. It has
continued to achieve transformational change in the lives of its people by
effectively mobilizing available resources and through the delivery of
sustainable and citizen-centered programmes. Sri Lanka has emphasized synergistic
interactions between healthcare and education, public infrastructure development,
including improved water and sanitation, and transport and communication, especially under
an integrated regional development approach. We enjoy a 98% literacy rate
with the score for girls being higher. Our ICT literacy rate is following a path
of exponential growth. Cellular phone penetration is over 100%. 85% of the
population has access to potable water. We believe that the investments, which
brought these results, are essential if states
are to build a healthy, literate, productive and entrepreneurial human resource
base. The success of this strategy is reflected in Sri Lanka's high-ranking in
the human development index.
Sri Lanka has
achieved many of
the MDGs and is on track to realise all of them by 2015, including the
eradication of poverty. Eradicating poverty
and improving the quality of life of our people has been the cornerstone of social development policies in
Sri Lanka over many decades. Sri Lanka's key policy document, “Mahinda Chintana –
Vision for the Future”, has set specific targets to combat poverty within the MDG framework.
A range of projects
has
been designed for the
eradication of poverty
by 2016. Through “Gama Naguma”
and “Divi Naguma” programmes we have been addressing rural poverty
eradication and ensuring food security. These programmes continue to promote
the concept of self-employment, directing financial and technical assistance to
youth and women in rural areas, including those who suffered from the terrorist
conflict. The absolute poverty level in Sri Lanka declined to 7.6% in 2011 from
15.2% in 2005. The per capita income increased from US$ 1,062 in 2004 to US$
2,836 in 2011. To improve basic living standards, 4% of the GDP has been
distributed to qualifying households for providing education, health services,
food subsidies, food stamps and subsidized credit. Even during the height of the conflict, the
Government of Sri Lanka maintained schools and hospitals in the conflict
affected areas and food and medical supplies were sent to these areas despite crashing
artillery shells and whizzing bullets.
The
contribution of women in Sri Lanka’s successful realization of most of the MDGs is significant. Women, being literate,
also encourage their children to focus on education and aspire to higher goals.
The traditional knowledge of mothers on maternal health, coupled with their
educational background, has contributed significantly to reducing the child
mortality rate to 8.9 per thousand and the maternal mortality rate to 39 per
100,000 live births. It is through the participation of women, that Sri Lanka
has been recognized for its achievements in the WHO breastfeeding promotion and
immunization programmes. I note with pride that Sri Lanka produced the first
elected woman Prime Minister in the world in 1960.
Though it was a
challenging task for Sri Lanka to balance resource mobilization while fighting
a war against terrorism, our government has launched many progressive
programmes, especially on poverty reduction and citizen empowerment. We have
made genuine efforts to ensure that the fruits of economic development are
equally distributed and are accessible, especially to the most vulnerable
sectors of society. We have ensured that social mobility is not confined to the
privileged in the towns and cities of the country, but penetrates deep into the
rural sector.
Three years ago, our
Government ended the terrorist challenge largely through its own efforts. Sri
Lanka is firmly committed to redressing the grievances of all parties affected
by the internal conflict.
After the release
of the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), an
action plan to give effect to its recommendations expeditiously has been adopted. A comprehensive National
Action Plan for Human Rights with specific time lines has been approved by the
Cabinet of Ministers. The Government has
also proposed a transparent and democratic process under a Parliamentary Select
Committee to address post-conflict reconciliation issues. This initiative has been regrettably delayed by
some opposition parties failing to nominate their representatives.
Sri Lanka
exemplifies the challenges faced by a society emerging from the shadow of a
sustained conflict which spanned three decades, and entering upon an era of
peace and stability. The gradual diminution of these challenges and the brevity
of the period which has elapsed since the end of the conflict, leave no room
for doubt as to the degree of success achieved by the Government of Sri Lanka in
respect of a wide range of issues relating to development and reconciliation. It
is only about three years since the conflict ended.
Prioritization
was a central feature of the government’s plan of action. The progress on the ground during the last
three years with regard to the resettlement of internally displaced persons, (all
internally displaced persons have been resettled), the re-integration into society of thousands
of ex-combatants after exposure to programmes of livelihood skills training
which equipped them to earn their living with dignity and independence, the
rapid completion of the demining process, and the unprecedented focus on
infrastructure development leading to very visible invigoration of the economy
of the Island as a whole, and the Northern Province in particular, is quite
apparent.
The
experience of Sri Lanka demonstrates that, given the quality of dynamic
leadership and unwavering commitment which His Excellency President Mahinda
Rajapaksa provided, an effective political and military strategy and strong
rapport with all sections of the public, it is possible to prevail against the
most ruthless forces of terror. No one
has greater commitment to reconciliation in an all-inclusive spirit than the
government. Unhelpful external pressures that support narrow partisan interests
could easily derail the initiatives which have produced substantial results and
peace on the ground, as we begin a new and exciting chapter in our country’s
history.
Our accomplishments are quite remarkable, considering
that many developing countries continue to struggle for equitable social
development, together with economic advancement. We are always ready to share
our experiences with other countries. What we have achieved is not only
for us but for all of humanity.
In the
international community’s quest to bring some semblance of equity in economic
development across the continents, we
must maintain increased focus on Africa, especially through South- South
cooperation. Sri Lanka is expanding its engagement vigorously with the region,
especially in matters relating to trade, investment, tourism and technical
assistance.
All our current
endeavours should seek a stronger focus on children and youth who are the custodians of our future. Therefore,
empowering them with marketable skills,
including knowledge of new technologies
and vocational training, would enable them to be independent contributors to
our economy. Thus, a strong link between education and vocational training
policies has created a conducive environment where our younger generation will
drive the global development strategies.
We have continuously supported UNGA resolution 66/6
and the need to end the unjust economic, commercial and financial embargo
against Cuba. Unilateral sanctions of this nature, which harm ordinary people,
should have no place in modern international intercourse.
Terrorism remains a scourge in the
contemporary world, threatens our societies and impedes the socio-economic
progress of our people. As a country
which has emerged from ruthless and brutal terrorism, Sri Lanka continues to resolutely
support all multilateral efforts to enhance peace and security, and eliminate
all forms of terrorism. In our
collective quest to eradicate terrorism, the selective application of
principles and double standards must be
avoided. Terrorism from wherever it emerges, must be resolutely counteracted.
It is established that terrorism has developed close
links with transnational organized crime
in the form of cybercrime and identity theft, environment related crime,
maritime piracy, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons and drugs.
Maritime piracy has emerged as a major threat to international sea-lanes and
has added an additional economic burden to global trade. Sri Lanka, as a trading nation for centuries,
supports all multinational efforts to counter this threat. But it is to be remembered that piracy originates on land and any
solution to piracy must also address its causes on land.
The illicit transportation of migrants to greener
pastures overseas by criminal networks requires our collective attention.
The pull factors as well as the push
factors of this criminal enterprise must be examined. Sri Lanka has now implemented a National
Action Plan to counteract human smuggling and trafficking. Sri Lanka also
continues to cooperate closely in this regard with our bilateral and
multilateral partners. As a member of the Bali process, we are committed to
cooperation in capacity building, the exchange of best practices and law
enforcement cooperation. At the same time we believe the necessity to share
information in good faith, acknowledging that a variety of national interests
of member countries is essential to counter the sophisticated human smuggling
rings.
One long-standing issue that weighs on the conscience
of the international community and which needs our sustained collective
attention, is the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian
people. Sri Lanka fully supports the implementation of all relevant UN
Resolutions on Palestine that would pave the way for the achievement of Statehood
for the Palestinian people and bring lasting peace to the region. Sri Lanka
fully supports Palestine in its efforts to achieve full membership in the
United Nations.
Sri Lanka unreservedly condemns the defamation of all
religions and religious leaders. While the right to free speech is fundamental
to our value system, that right should not be abused to hurt the feelings of
the faithful whether they are Buddhists,
Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Jews or followers of other faiths. All available
mechanisms must be employed to prevent the defamation of all religions and the
exploitation of religious symbols for commercial purposes.
In conclusion Mr.
President, Sri Lanka is currently in the process of making arrangements to host
the World Youth Conference in 2014. The
primary objective will be the strengthening of youth inclusion in national
decision making processes in relation to the development and implementation of
the post-2015 development agenda. I extend an open invitation to all fellow
member States to join hands with us to make this global event a success.
