STATEMENT
BY
H.E. AMBASSADOR MAKMUR WIDODO
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA TO
THE UNITED NATIONS
BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ON AGENDA ITEM 42:
Special session of the General Assembly in 2001
For follow-up to the World Summit for Children
NEW YORK, 15 NOVEMBER 2000
Mr. President,
The World Summit for Children was a turning point in
the history of social development and indeed by all accounts a landmark
event. Not only did that meeting set substantial comprehensive targets
in the field of child health and welfare, but unlike so many other development
ventures by the international community those targets were being realized.
Child mortality was being reduced, along with the needless suffering
caused by disease that could be and was prevented.
The World Summit for Children was of critical importance
in several respects, not least of which was the focussed attention it
brought and has sustained to the development needs of children and the
moral responsibility of then international community to meet those needs.
Our continued appreciation is extended to the six initiating governments
for the vision they displayed in calling for the summit meeting.
Mr. President,
In the intervening years since the World Summit for
Children was convened, the world has truly undergone such change and
made such advances that were largely unforeseen. Globalization has
now come to provide the context for much of international relations,
democracy has taken root in many countries, and advances in information
technology have further reduced the barriers between nations and peoples.
Indeed, for some countries the past decade has been one of untold prosperity
and progress. Yet, some realities have not changed and remain as true
today as ever. Children are still the most vulnerable members of society
and they demand our protection, our nurturing and our support. Poverty
remains the greatest challenge we face as we seek to enhance the development,
welfare and protection of children throughout the world. If I may recall
the words of Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar in his address
to the Summit: "Hunger, disease, illiteracy, despair: these constitute
the enemy’s fearful train." How relevant these words remain today.
As we prepare for the special session of the General
Assembly in 2001 for follow-up to the World Summit for Children, we
will renew our commitments made and have occasion to consider future
actions for children over the next ten years. I would like to express
my delegation’s appreciation the Secretary-General for his informative
report contained in document A/55/429 on the state of preparations being
made towards convening that session. Indonesia does support the work
being undertaken by the Preparatory Committee in its preparation of
a draft outcome document for the special session and we are confident
that the operational strategies will further advance the situation of
children and result in practical and measurable outcomes. Indonesia
further agrees that the future agenda for children should be guided
by the need to be innovative, concise and action-oriented, with a view
to achieving a positive impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged.
Furthermore, in crafting the outcome document we should
also be aware of the many other targets that have been set as follow-up
to the World Summit for Social Development, the Beijing Conference,
the Millennium Summit and other international conferences. Targets
have been set for poverty eradication, for education, for food security
and in other fields and these should be reflected and supported in the
forthcoming special session. In this connection, we would agree with
the report of the Secretary-General on this item that more emphasis
should be placed on combating diseases that take a high toll on children.
In approaching the special session, my delegation would
like to recall the fact that child mortality rates remain unacceptably
high and that more does need to be done in addressing malnutrition,
maternal mortality, and basic education. There is clearly a need for
increased intervention in these areas by UNICEF and by Governments.
Let us also recall that enhanced children’s health and nutrition is
a first duty, and also a task for which solutions we believe are now
within reach.
Let me also comment on the progress that has been made
and which has made such a change already in the lives of so many. The
Convention on the Rights of the Child has now achieved near universal
acceptance and displays the importance that the international community
attaches to the welfare and interests of children. Likewise, the adoption
of the two optional protocols shows the developing commitment to the
protection of all aspects of child safety. The special session will
afford yet another opportunity for us to assess the positive impact
of the convention.
Mr. President,
In the immediate years after the World Summit for Children
Indonesia had made considerable progress in implementing the Declaration
on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children. We had registered
considerable success in child immunization, in the provision of clean
water and improved sanitation, and importantly the poverty rate in Indonesia
had been reduced and was dropping. Now, as we approach the ten-year
anniversary of that summit, an economic crisis has all but eliminated
much of the progress that was achieved and has had a broad effect on
the welfare of children in Indonesia.
This situation has gravely affected the government’s
efforts to meet the goals set at the World Summit for Children and will
certainly impact on future goals. I will say, however, that political
reformation has brought renewed hope for the protection and development
of children, and the government holds a strong commitment to doing what
it can with what it has.
In that regard, Indonesia is implementing programmes
to tackle those situations that can be characterized as "emergency",
through its social safety net. Nevertheless, we are not in a position
to undertake all that is needed and international assistance, in particular
from UNICEF, is so important if we are to strengthen our national capacity
to fulfill the Summit goals and those of the special session. The Government
of Indonesia will continue to work within its means to meet its solemn
obligations and where possible to support those of the international
community.
Thank you.
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