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Statement by
H.E. Ambassador Mochammad S. Hidayat
Deputy Representative of the Republic of Indonesia
to the United Nations
before
The 56th Session of the U N
General Assembly
on
Agenda Item 40:
Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium
Summit
New York, 19 November 2001
Mr. President,
Let me begin by expressing the sincere appreciation
of my delegation to the Secretary-General for providing us with this
comprehensive report of proposed strategies entitled, Road Map towards
the implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration.
It should prove to be of tremendous assistance in our
deliberations now and a credible blueprint or plan of action for our
future activities in cooperation for development.
The heinous terrorist events of September 11th
in our host city and country have brought new awareness of the interdependent
and globalized nature of our world.
We must seek to understand the root causes of these
tragic events particularly by coordinating our efforts in responding
in a comprehensive way. In doing so, we must choose the path of engagement,
dialogue and partnership.
It is for these precise reasons, Mr.President, that
the Millennium Declaration, which represents a remarkable convergence
of views on the challenges of the 21st century, is now more
compelling than ever. Indonesia therefore commends the Secretary-General
for his Road Map report and supports his comprehensive and coordinated
approach.
We believe it will lead us, the United Nations, governments
and all relevant sectors of the civil societies, toward mutual cooperation
and partnership. It should greatly help to overcome the formidable
obstacles to peace and prosperity facing us all while at the same time
reinforcing the principles and purposes of the United Nations.
Inevitably, the Road Map should complement the agreements
and programmes already agreed upon during the major conferences and
summits of the 1990’s to achieve sustainable development. It is crucial
that these agreements and commitments already in place should be implemented
as a priority.
That is why, as we look across the global landscape
today, we have no doubt that combating terrorism is crucial for the
future of peaceful co-existence between states. It is also true that
the multiple threats and challenges already preoccupying our intergovernmental
deliberations before the September 11 attacks have not gone away.
They are still with us. The threat
of nuclear annihilation has not fully faded, despite the recent promising
disarmament negotiations which are very welcome. Nor can we neglect
the daunting challenges of preventing conflict. In addition, inextricably
linked to these issues of war and peace are those of central importance
to advancing development: pervasive underdevelopment, marginalization
and wrenching poverty. It is critical that we vigorously pursue their
implementation through dialogue and partnership, not confrontation.
In answering these challenges, and especially in our
efforts to revitalize cooperation for development and the eradication
of poverty, we must keep a balance in addressing the issues of environment,
social development and economic growth. A major means and mechanism
that could be effectively used is that of building on the momentum and
high commitments for sustainable development. .
In this context, poverty eradication is central. Indonesia
fully supports the target of the Declaration and the strategies in the
Road Map report for halving the global poverty levels by the year 2015.
In following up on this goal there is a crucial need for country-driven
initiatives, including a focus on building human and institutional capacities
at the national level.
Issues of sustainable development will also be part
and parcel of the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) in Johannesburg in September 2002. To achieve a successful outcome
at the World Summit, we must reinvigorate our global commitments to
sustainable development through partnerships at the highest level.
For its part, Indonesia is committed to the success
of the Summit and, as Chairman of the WSSD Preparatory process, is determined
to do its utmost to ensure that the preparations for the Summit are
successful. We are hosting the final Prep-Com next May at the Ministerial
level before the World Summit.
To move the process of sustainable development forward,
we must ensure sound national policies. We thus welcome several of the
guidelines set forth for human rights, democracy and good governance
as set out in section V of the Road Map.
Since Indonesia is currently in the midst of building
and strengthening its institutions for good governance we appreciate
and support the Secretary-General’s goal for good governance based on
participation and the rule of law. We also support its strong focus
on combating corruption and on ensuring safeguards for private investment
within each country.
Indonesia also supports the goal to respect and uphold
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to strive for the protection
and promotion of all human rights, including minority rights. We have
recently signed on to the Optional Protocols of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, further strengthening our commitment to human rights.
At the same time, we concur with the Secretary General, as stated in
paragraph 197 that the gulf between commitments and concrete action
must still be bridged.
Indonesia also welcomes the Road Map goal to strengthen
democracy. As recently commented by the Foreign Minister of Indonesia
speaking before the General Assembly, Indonesia today stands proud as
one of the largest democracies in the world. And, the challenge for
all of us is to ensure that democracy works and that it does actually
deliver a better life for all the people.
Mr. President,
Empowering the United Nations is an ongoing and central
task of the international community. It is also central to promoting
people-centered sustainable development. A revitalized UN General Assembly
and a reformed UN Security Council designed to reflect the contemporary
development of international relations are essential to the creation
of a more democratic world. We support such strategies.
With regard to reforming the Security Council we should
take into account the views of member countries. Indonesia also supports
the continuing efforts to consider the size and composition of the Security
Council as well as its methods of work.
Nevertheless, Mr. President, if we are serious in translating
rhetoric into action and reality we simply must have the necessary resources
to move forward. We believe that these resources must be commensurate
with the tasks of carrying mandates of the United Nations forward including
the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and the strategies
contained in the Road Map.
The Organization must receive its financial contributions
in a timely and predictable manner. We must, at the same time, be sympathetic
to the situation of Member States who, due to genuine economic difficulties,
are temporarily unable to meet their financial obligations.
In this context, we are concerned that despite the
priorities approved in GA resolution 55/233, some areas of activity
outside of those priorities have in fact received resource growth, while
the important area of international cooperation for development, has
obtained only modest amount of growth.
Furthermore, the forthcoming International Conference
for Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico in March 2002, is
uniquely designed to address and promote the overall global development
goals including those of the Millennium Declaration. We should do our
utmost to make full use of this opportunity to enable us to shift the
paradigm in favour of development.
Let me just add that the General Assembly has already
decided to convene this international conference and it has received
the endorsement of the Millennium Summit. It thus seems to me we should
now move beyond questioning the rational of the conference and, instead,
focus on how best to achieve a successful outcome. I hope that the Secretary-General
will be successful in bringing this important matter to the attention
of all member states.
Thank You.
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