Bangkok--Aug 10--UNISBKK
Development
“There is no autopilot, no magic of the marketplace, no rising tide in the global economy that will lift all boats. If current trends persist, some of the poorest countries will not be able to meet many — or perhaps any — of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Considering how far we have come, such a failure would be a tragic missed opportunity. That is why, in 2005, the concept of a global partnership between rich and poor countries — the eighth MDG — needs to become a reality…Let history not say about our age that we were those who were rich in means but poor in will.” Address to ‘Make Poverty History’ event on the Millennium Development Goals, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, 6 July 2005
“Of course, it is not just developed countries, but also developing countries that must do their part. That means devising national strategies bold enough to meet the development goals. It also means promoting accountable and transparent governance, adopting policies that will stimulate the private sector, and investing in human capital through education and health.” Address to the UN Economic and Social Council, 29 June 2005
Peace and Security
“The September Summit must strengthen the UN’s own peacekeeping capacity. And it must address the peacebuilding gap, in which too many countries emerging from conflict are left to lapse back into violence, for lack of international support for disarmament and other steps toward recovery and reconstruction. I am pleased that my proposal for a new Peacebuilding Commission has elicited support from many of you, and I hope you will do your part in bringing this new machinery into being without delay.” Address to the Summit of the African Union, Sirte, Libya, 4 July 2005
Human Rights
“We must build a culture of full respect for human rights. If we are to restore human rights to the place intended for them by the United Nations Charter, we need a fresh start. The establishment of a Human Rights Council, which is gathering broad support from around the world, would go a long way to restore the credibility of the international human rights machinery.” Message to the International Conference on United Nations Reform, Tehran, 17 July 2005 (delivered by Communications Director Edward Mortimer)
“I also believe that, if we are to take human rights seriously, we must embrace the concept of ‘the responsibility to protect,’ as a basis for collective action to prevent and stop instances of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. This is not meant as a way to bypass sovereignty, since each State remains, first and foremost, responsible for protecting its citizens. But when national authorities are unwilling or unable to do so, the international community, through the Security Council, should be able to act, and must be ready to do so.” Message to the Council of Europe Summit, Warsaw, 16 May 2005 (delivered by Veira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia and Envoy of the Secretary-General for the World Summit)
UN Reform
“There is a democracy deficit in the UN governance that has to be corrected. Of course, it’s up to the members to determine whether they will let size trump democracy and representativeness. We are the ones who go around the world lecturing everbody about democracy. I think it is time we apply it to ourselves, and then show that there is effective representation.” Informal remarks to reporters at UN headquarters, 13 July 2005
“To make sure that the intergovernmental machinery has the support it deserves, we must also make sure that the United Nations Secretariat is much more nimble and responsive to changing needs. This is doubly important given the questioning that we have been facing. I am doing what I can under my authority, but I need the support of Member States to undertake more far-reaching reforms. What is required is a Secretariat that is more empowered and flexible, and at the same time more transparent and accountable.”
Message to the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), St. Lucia, 3 July 2005 [Delivered by Under-Secretary-General Anwarul K. Chowdhury
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