‘NAM must work towards truly representative UN’

Text of statement by External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris at the ministerial meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau May 7-10, 2012, Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Having marked the 50th anniversary of the NAM last year in Bali, Indonesia, it gives us all modest pride in being partners of an organization that has experienced a number of upheavals, as well as many moments of glory. The collective wisdom and the pioneering efforts of the forefathers to establish this Movement way back in 1961, as a platform to work in solidarity for the common good and for mutual benefit, amidst the cold war polarization of relations among states has certainly proved beneficial. Today, NAM gives voice to over 120 sovereign nation states and millions of people they represent.

The challenges in the contemporary world, especially in multilateralism as a result of the absence of open and transparent dialogue with respect to diversity and pluralism, is a matter of concern. It is in such trying circumstances that we should lay greater emphasis on upholding the values and norms of NAM. They have enduring relevance in striking a balance in the manner the real politics of the contemporary world are conducted. As one of the founding members of this Movement, Sri Lanka reaffirms its steadfast support and commitment to our collective efforts in preserving and promoting the core principles of NAM.

In an increasingly interconnected and inter-dependent world, challenges that confront humanity often spill over national borders - be it failures in the world's largest financial hubs to establish proper surveillance over financial transactions, callous disregard in rectifying damage caused to the natural environment in the haste for industrialization, the liberal domestic policies and regulations that provide safe havens for intransigent groups, or the mismanagement of limited natural resources such as water, land, fossil fuels are some which come to mind. On the positive side of the whirlwind of globalization are the rapid developments in, and affordable access to, advanced technology and information that have helped in improving the quality of life. In our journey through the next half-a-century, we need to advance our search for innovative and pragmatic solutions, to minimize the adverse effects of challenges and enhance the benefits of globalization for the betterment of all our people.

Global economy

In this regard, we note the continued inter-governmental discourse within the UN General Assembly on matters of relevance, such as the forthcoming High Level Thematic Debate on the Status of the World Economy. We hope that the outcome of the UN conference held in 2009 on the ‘World Financial and Economic Crisis and its impact on Development’ will be followed up energetically. The impact of the financial and economic crisis on employment, debt sustainability, trade, investment and on hard gained economic growth is yet to be dealt with. There is urgency for efforts at all levels to mitigate the decline of the global economy.

The effect of the financial crisis is converging with several other already acute problems such as the food and energy crisis. Moreover, survival of all living beings will be at stake, if genuine efforts are not made to resolve issues connected with global warming. In this regard, we reiterate the need to agree on subsequent commitment periods under the Kyoto Protocol on Green House Gas emission cuts, without any lapses, once the first commitment period expires by the end of 2012. Proactive efforts by the developed countries to take the lead in this regard are of paramount importance for curbing future temperature rise. We also urge that future rule based climate regimes adhere to the cardinal principles of equity, but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities and that the mitigation efforts undertaken by developing countries should receive the necessary new and additional technical and financial support.

We look forward to Rio+20 Summit in June this year, with the earnest hope that it will provide the political direction to move forward with renewed vigour in achieving economic, social and environmental development in a balanced manner. Excessive focus on preserving the natural environment should not be at the cost of the sovereign right of developing countries to decide and implement national policies for their economic growth. As we move closer to the target date of 2015 in achieving the MDGs, the stark reality is that many countries still face serious difficulties in overcoming poverty. We must not delay in setting our priorities right.

UN charter

Our endeavours, at national, regional and global levels, especially through the UN system, can make a difference if we act consistently and in an inclusive and transparent manner. However, we observe with regret an increasing trend towards double standards and manipulation of international systems for collateral purposes. These trends undermine the inspiring ideals enshrined in the UN charter. The primary responsibility for ensuring the wellbeing of citizens lies with the states, and there should be cogent reasons, compatible with the underpinnings of the international order, to warrant external intervention.

Creating unsustainable situations to pave the way for interference in the internal affairs of a country will only jeopardize and undermine the credibility, esteem and trust essential for the proper functioning of international systems and mechanisms. In this context, we believe that the theme 'Reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in Global Governance', for the forthcoming UNGA Session is timely, to focus on a range of issues which are of special relevance today.

Because of the sophistication and finesse with which most of the non-state actors operate today, the freedom of decision making by democracies has sadly been the first casualty. States are obliged to uphold high moral standards and exercise restraint in their conduct even in extreme situations involving abhorrent acts of terrorism.

The rules of war and international Humanitarian Laws should be revisited in this context. All forms and manifestations of terrorism should be resisted with single minded determination, as they do not have a place in the civilized world. It is our earnest hope that all Member States will resort to concerted action for this purpose and seek to conclude the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the earliest opportunity.

International community

We are pleased to note the adoption by this Ministerial meeting the declaration on the centenary year of the African National Congress(ANC) of South Africa.

NAM, as the largest group of nation States within the United Nations Organization representing the developing world, has many unaccomplished tasks, despite the long drawn debates that we have engaged in and the resulting decisions and resolutions. For over 40 long years now, our Palestinian brothers and sisters have been waiting to accomplish their dream of a homeland. We express our continued support for their move towards achieving statehood, including full-membership of the UN. We encourage the international community to expedite their vigorous efforts to realize the two-states solution, in terms of which both Israel and Palestine could live side-by-side in peace and harmony within secured boundaries.

We also urge an end to the unilateral coercive measures including economic embargoes against sovereign states that hinder freedom of trade. Let us work assiduously and in unity to ensure a United Nations that is truly representative of the people of all walks of life, a vibrant institution which can deliver nothing less than peace security and prosperity for all.