- 3 years ago
Speech by Charles Angelo Savarin, President of Dominica, at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. teleSUR
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00:00 Welcome back to Tell Us Your English and join us as we broadcast live the high-level debate
00:07 at the 78th session of the United Nations.
00:09 Let's see.
00:10 President, Your Excellencies, heads of state and heads of government, distinguished delegates,
00:17 ladies and gentlemen, I bring you warm greetings from the citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
00:26 Mr. President, my delegation and by extension the government and people of the Commonwealth
00:32 of Dominica wish to congratulate you on your elevation to the office of President of the
00:38 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and wish you every success during
00:44 your term.
00:46 As Dominica currently holds the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, I also
00:53 extend to you the support of CARICOM during your tenure.
00:58 Your appointment is testament to the fact that small island developing states' contribution
01:05 to the multilateral system is of crucial importance, particularly with the innumerable challenges
01:13 confronting such states globally.
01:17 Having served as ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for several years,
01:23 your experience and knowledge on many of the current issues impacting member states should
01:29 serve you well in leading the assembly over the next year.
01:34 Mr. President, it is quite evident that the challenges being faced globally can be daunting.
01:43 The climate crisis seemingly will not go away as evidenced, for example, by recent wildfires
01:52 in Hawaii and Canada, thereby illuminating the discussion on the need to give even more
01:59 urgent attention to mitigation and climate financing.
02:06 Global inflation has impacted significantly on the livelihood of the most vulnerable,
02:13 while there is justification for increasing concern over chronic noncommunicable diseases
02:20 adversely impacting the health and wellness of our people.
02:27 Mr. President, the conflict in Ukraine continues unabated amidst the global call for an end
02:34 to this terrible war.
02:37 Such a situation would normally be unthinkable in this 21st century.
02:43 As the conflict escalates, the World Bank's most recent estimate for the reconstruction
02:50 and recovery of Ukraine is placed at U.S. $411 billion.
02:59 This figure is expected to increase the longer the conflict persists.
03:06 All conflicts, Mr. President, must eventually end at the negotiating table.
03:12 Dominica therefore calls for an end to the fighting and for good-faith negotiations to
03:19 prevail.
03:21 We join all those resolute in their international obligation to uphold peace as outlined in
03:29 the United Nations Charter, and we support the call for a resolution to the issues giving
03:36 rise to this conflict.
03:38 To this end, Mr. President, Dominica endorses the joint declaration by the G20 on the Russia-Ukraine
03:47 conflict and other global issues at the end of the 18th G20 Summit held recently in New
03:55 Delhi, India.
03:58 Mr. President, while we in Dominica are opposed to coups and attempted coups, we are also
04:07 aware that in 2010 there were a series of uprisings affecting Arab countries of the
04:17 Middle East and North Africa, which was dubbed in the West as the Arab Spring.
04:26 These uprisings, with at least the tacit support of the West, resulted in the removal of several
04:35 governments.
04:37 There was no talk of sanctions or military intervention to restore the ousted governments.
04:45 Today, Mr. President, we are witnessing what I refer to as the African summer, and we are
04:54 hearing the drumbeat of sanctions and military intervention.
05:00 What is the difference between the Arab Spring and the African summer, I ask?
05:07 The international community should pay heed to the wisdom of the leaders of the African
05:13 Union who have opposed military intervention and urge diplomatic engagement.
05:21 The question is, whose interest would military intervention serve?
05:28 Certainly not the people of Africa.
05:32 We in Dominica and the Caribbean urge that in all such situations, the interest of the
05:40 population be foremost in any consideration of intervention by neighboring countries and
05:48 indeed by the international community.
05:50 Mr. President, this year's theme for the General Assembly is "In Keeping with the Strides We
05:59 Should All Be Making at the International and Multilateral Levels to Achieve an Accelerated
06:07 and Progressive Implementation of the 2030 Agenda."
06:13 The challenges faced by small island developing states in achieving this objective are considerable.
06:22 Typically, the narrow fiscal space and the increase in economic and environmental losses
06:31 attributable to changes in weather patterns and other climate-related events have served
06:38 to increase our vulnerabilities exponentially.
06:43 The evidence suggests that we live in an imperfect world by virtue of our inherent geophysical
06:51 and socioeconomic characteristics, and some countries, Dominica included, will always
06:58 be disproportionately disadvantaged by the actions of others.
07:04 In this regard, we welcome the high-level dialogue on financing for development and
07:12 the call by the Secretary General for a climate ambition summit.
07:19 We are optimistic that this forum will be a practical demonstration of a commitment
07:25 to securing the necessary funding to initiate transformative change.
07:31 Mr. President, the key elements for accelerating realization of the 2030 Agenda include the
07:40 harnessing of information communication technologies and the role which science will play in ensuring
07:48 effective decision-making.
07:49 ICTs can provide a platform to get more done within a shorter period of time and further
08:00 create an impetus to bridge the generational gap, allowing for innovation and creativity
08:09 to emerge to the fore.
08:12 Our youth must be continually engaged, thereby engendering a sense of trust in their leaders
08:20 and institutions.
08:23 This is critical to ensuring that the significant gaps which currently exist between the haves
08:30 and the have-nots are addressed and drastically reduced.
08:37 Access to quality education, clean water, food security, proper health care, decent
08:45 work, proper housing, and economic growth taken together must be the foundation upon
08:52 which we continue to ensure that no one is left behind.
08:59 The initiating of a more vulnerable society by unfair trade practices must be replaced
09:08 by trade practices which reasonably benefit primary producers and support and/or encourage
09:17 downstream processing and manufacturing, while international resources must be targeted at
09:27 the most vulnerable and indigent among us.
09:32 Only then can we be assured of achieving a society of prosperity, progress, and sustainability
09:40 for all.
09:41 Mr. President, advancement towards the Sustainable Development Goals must be people-centered,
09:50 complemented by policies which allow for security and peace.
09:56 The Government of Dominica recognizes the central role of its citizens in the decision-making
10:03 process on major national issues, and to this end, government has engaged the expertise
10:12 of the international community in reviewing its electoral system and has embarked on a
10:19 wide cross-sectoral consultation to hear varying views from every segment of the society on
10:27 recommendations for electoral reform in the country.
10:32 It is therefore anticipated that when the final measures are brought before Parliament,
10:39 they will be in keeping with best practices and the views of the majority.
10:47 The Commonwealth of Dominica will continue to identify with and champion the agenda of
10:54 small island developing states on the international level.
10:58 Accordingly, we wish to emphasize the need for the implementation of the Loss and Damage
11:05 Fund agreed upon at COP 27.
11:11 Implementation of this fund will allow seeds to access the required resources, earmarked
11:18 for the recovery of our vulnerable economies post-disasters, and further facilitate the
11:25 creation of a vital safety net for our people.
11:30 Over the last 30 years, seeds have been advocated for resilience-building measures based on
11:39 our inherent vulnerabilities and the frequency and magnitude of increase in global shocks.
11:50 The lack of adequate assistance from developmental partners and international financial institutions
11:58 has forced governments to borrow at unfavorable terms, resulting in high repayment costs and
12:05 unsustainable debt levels for our fragile economies.
12:10 To this end, Mr. President, Dominica fully supports the work on the Multidimensional
12:18 Vulnerability Index, which can contribute to unlocking the type of financing which is
12:25 so urgently required.
12:28 Additionally, Dominica pledges its full support and participation in the upcoming Seeds Conference
12:37 to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024.
12:43 This conference should serve as a watershed moment for all seeds, such that action-orientated
12:51 outcomes can be derived.
12:54 However, mindful of the confluence of challenges confronting seeds today, there should be no
13:02 further delay in the much-needed reform of international financial institutions to address
13:10 the contemporary realities of debt distress and debt solvency.
13:17 Dominica therefore joins fellow member states of CARICOM in support of the Bridgetown Initiative
13:24 as a core blueprint for restructuring the architecture of sovereign debt.
13:31 Mr. President, my delegation unreservedly welcomes the adoption of the BBNJ Agreement.
13:40 Building on the legacy of the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, this achievement
13:47 reaffirms the UN's role in facilitating the implementation of multilaterally agreed solutions
13:55 to global challenges.
13:58 Dominica supports early entry into force of this agreement as well as its implementation.
14:06 My delegation further welcomes the commitments shared by all to ensure capacity building
14:13 and transfer of marine technology to support developing countries in their quest to implement
14:22 and benefit from the said agreement.
14:25 The prevailing situation in our fellow CARICOM member states of Haiti is a dire one which
14:33 deserves urgent international intervention.
14:39 Haiti faces deep-rooted crises on multiple fronts, much of it arising from its post-independence
14:50 relations with the international community, poor governance over the years, and the lingering
14:57 effects of the catastrophic devastation visited on that country by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake
15:06 in January of 2010.
15:10 To date, Mr. President, while there may have been preliminary figures, I am not aware of
15:17 any comprehensive assessment detailing the extent of the destruction of the 2010 earthquake
15:25 nor a World Bank estimate of the cost of reconstruction as has been done with the situation in Ukraine.
15:35 The fact remains that since 2010, Haiti has been hit by several earthquakes, hurricanes,
15:44 floods, pandemics, and socio-political instability.
15:50 If ever there was a cause deserving the full attention of the international community,
15:56 that cause is Haiti.
15:58 The Commonwealth of Dominica aligns itself with processes outlined by the Organization
16:05 of American States to support the people of Haiti in August of 2022, as well as decision
16:13 taken by the CARICOM community at its 45th regular meeting of heads of government in
16:19 July of this year to lend active support to the government and people of Haiti in the
16:25 effort to arrive at a Haitian-led solution to the ongoing crisis.
16:31 While both these institutions have offered commendable and necessary recommendations,
16:39 even collectively, these will not be sufficient to normalize the current situation in Haiti.
16:47 We are accepted that the crises in Haiti are not limited to food shortage and security.
16:56 The IPC report lays bare the severity of Haiti's food crisis, noting, and I quote, that nearly
17:04 half of the population of 11 million is grappling with high levels of acute food insecurity.
17:13 Additionally, the humanitarian situation is being further aggravated by a national security
17:21 problem, including the illicit flow of arms and ammunition and gang-related violence.
17:31 The Commonwealth of Dominica is of the view that a strategy which addresses the root causes
17:37 of instability in Haiti will be embraced by the people of Haiti.
17:44 We also underscore that such an approach cannot be pursued without the unwavering support
17:51 of the international community.
17:54 My delegation therefore calls on the Security Council to move decisively to offer support
18:00 to Haiti in key priority areas, including security, governance, education, health, water
18:11 and electricity, sustainable livelihoods, and long-term development planning and advocacy.
18:18 Mr. President, Dominica continues to stand with the overwhelming majority of the international
18:25 community in calling for the removal of the 60-year-old economic blockade imposed on the
18:32 Republic of Cuba by the United States.
18:36 In November of 2022, this body voted overwhelmingly, 185 to 2, condemning the embargo.
18:47 Even Ukraine, Mr. President, could not bring itself to support the United States in this
18:54 outdated and unjust measure and abstained from voting.
19:01 This body must continue to condemn this egregious violation until it is lifted, as it has severely
19:09 impacted the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Cuban citizens for the last six decades.
19:18 Additionally, the inclusion of that country on the United States Department -- on the
19:24 United States State Department unilateral list of state sponsors of terrorism are all
19:33 unjustified measures.
19:35 My delegate -- further, Mr. President, my delegation supports the lifting of sanctions
19:41 on the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
19:46 This hegemonic situation constitutes a violation of the human rights of the Venezuelan people.
19:53 We therefore stand in solidarity with the government and people of the Bolivarian Republic
19:57 of Venezuela and look forward to a complete lifting of all such sanctions, thus allowing
20:05 the realization of the great potential for the rapid socioeconomic development of this
20:11 great nation.
20:12 Finally, Mr. President, as one of the more vulnerable small island states, which was
20:19 divided in states, which was divided because of Erica, resulting in significant loss of
20:25 life and loss of over 90 percent of our GDP, and being again struck by Hurricane Maria
20:33 in 2017, resulting in the loss of 226 percent of our GDP, we empathize with the government
20:42 and people of the Kingdom of Morocco, who was struck by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake on
20:48 September the 8th, resulting in over 3,000 deaths and twice as many injuries and the
20:55 complete devastation of several communities.
20:59 Similarly, Mr. President, Dominica empathizes with the government and people of Libya, who
21:06 experienced flooding of biblical proportions, resulting in the loss of more than 20,000
21:12 lives, with thousands of citizens still unaccounted for, according to UN reports, and incalculable
21:20 devastation in terms of infrastructure and built heritage.
21:26 We welcome the responses of neighboring countries and the international community to these catastrophes
21:33 in both of these North African countries and urge even greater response in line with the
21:40 magnitude of these natural disasters.
21:43 Mr. President, I end by calling all member states of this United Nations to recommit
21:51 ourselves to this organization as an instrument of our joint obligation to the global community.
21:59 And I wish you, Mr. President, and all delegates to this 78th session, every success during
22:09 these deliberations.
22:12 I thank you.
22:17 On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
22:22 for the statement just made, and I request protocol to escort His Excellency.
22:29 Distinguished delegates and excellencies, may I have the singular honor of presenting
22:34 to you my president.
22:36 The Assembly will hear an address by His Excellency Ranil Vikramasinghe, President of the Democratic
22:42 Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, as head of state.
22:47 And we were listening to the President of Dominica, Charles Zavorin, the Caribbean head
22:51 of state, criticized the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia, calling for a
22:56 diplomatic and nonviolent end, while expressing it has had a great impact on the world economy
23:01 and peace.
23:02 He also stressed Caribbean nations could have greater participation in decision-making bodies
23:07 regarding climate change, as they carry the heaviest toll in that matter.
23:12 He also called for more funding and support of social development in underprivileged nations.
23:17 He also condemned the blockade against Venezuela and offered his condolences to Morocco and
23:22 Libya.
23:23 We will have more details in upcoming news briefs.
23:25 Stay with us.
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23:28 (dramatic music)