Statement

by

The Honourable Prime Minister of
Antigua and Barbuda

His Excellency Mr. Winston Baldwin Spencer

At the

United Nations 62nd General Assembly Debate

September 28, 2007

Mr. President,

Let me first congratulate you on your election as President of the 62nd
 
General Assembly.  I also congratulate His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-Moon 
on this his first General Assembly as Secretary General.

Introduction: Multilateralism and the role of small states

Mr. President, Your Excellencies,

I am honoured to once again address this august assembly, and I stand 
before you humbled AND emboldened.

Humbled by the magnitude of the socio-economic challenges we face as a 
community of nations, AND emboldened by the trust that has been placed 
in me by the people of Antigua and Barbuda to articulate their interest
 
in an increasingly competitive international system.

Humbled by the gravity of the environmental challenges facing our world
 
today, AND emboldened in the knowledge that without courageous and 
timely action, countless lives will continue to be plagued by misery 
and countless more unnecessarily lost.

Mr. President:

As the Prime Minister of a small island state, I am also humbled and 
emboldened by the show of confidence we have received from the Group of
 
77, having been elected Chairman for 2008. It is not a responsibility 
we take lightly, and you can rest assure we intend to rise valiantly to
 
the task of Chairmanship, executing the responsibilities of the Chair 
with the sort of professionalism and skill the Group rightly expects of
 
us.

As Chairman of the Group of 77 for 2008, and like the Chairs before us,
 
we pledge to uphold the principles and objectives of the group; to 
preserve, at all times, our collective interest as developing 
countries; safeguard our common positions, and by so doing achieve 
significant advancement in the development agenda.






Mr. President, Your Excellencies,

I am humbled AND emboldened enough to quote Albert Einstein who once 
said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do 
evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing�. The time for 
“looking on and doing nothing� is no longer an option for all of
 us.

Let me at the outset unequivocally state that multilateralism should be
 
the preferred means for effecting international peace, security and 
human development.

There are some who would prefer for multilateralism to recede and for 
the world to be run by a few dominant powers.

Those who are so inclined should be reminded of the intent and purposes
 
of the Charter of the United Nations which, among other things, 
reaffirms the faith of humanity in, and I quote,  “fundamental human 
rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal 
rights of men and women and of nations large and small.� End of
 quote.

It is no small wonder then that the crafters of the UN Charter pledged 
their determination to, and I quote, “…employ international
 machinery 
for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of ALL 
peoples.�  End of quote.

Mr. President:

The Charter of the United Nations is perhaps more relevant today than 
it was at the time of writing.

The challenges to peace, security and development which require 
collective action have multiplied immeasurably.

At the same time, humanity has so advanced that today it is possible to
 
achieve the intentions of the Charter on a scale beyond what might have
 
been achievable at the time of its crafting.

Regrettably, meeting the purposes of the charter of the United Nations 
seems to be hindered by a paucity of political will and determination, 
to an unprecedented degree.

An equitable international system responsive to the needs of all 
countries and people is not beyond our reach.
In this context, there is a role for all nations, large and small, that
 
includes the firm resolve to strengthen the multilateral system, in 
order to correct systemic imbalances that hinder the achievement of the
 
MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals.

Systemic imbalances in international trade, finance and international 
governance keep millions locked in poverty; and millions in a perpetual
 
state of insecurity because they remain under-represented.

Indeed there is a role for ALL states. It should therefore come as no 
surprise that Antigua and Barbuda is of the view that small states can,
 
and should play a crucial role by being the voices of reason, the 
voices not shackled to dogmatic positions which power necessitates.

The absence of so-called “high power� allows small states to be 
pragmatic and practical in coming up with solutions to some of the most
 
pressing international problems.


Mr. President,

We can no longer continue talking while humanitarian conditions 
continue to deteriorate. The situation in Darfur calls for our 
immediate and swift action.
We cannot continue talking while women and children are forced to live 
in refugee camps. We cannot continue talking while tens of thousands of
 
persons continue to die.
We must act now.  There must be swift action to strengthen the joint 
United Nations-African Union force to Darfur which will support the 
African troops already there.
Every citizen has a right to life and a right to live in peace.  We 
call on all parties to end arm sales to the fighting factions.  We must
 
ensure that this happens.
We must make this happen.




Mr. President:

While acknowledging the reality that the distribution of power is 
skewed among nations, we believe that talent, ability and good 
intentions remain in abundance in all countries, large and small.

Further, no country is too small to be able to contribute innovative 
solutions for some of the most pressing international problems.

We in Antigua and Barbuda may be among the small and the powerless in 
might and money; we are willing, able, and intent on playing our part 
to achieve international peace; and development through active 
multilateral diplomacy.

Trade, economic growth and prosperity

Mr. President:

Global poverty and economic inequality can only be solved through 
sustained economic growth.

Central to sustaining economic growth for poorer countries is the 
establishment of a pro-development trading regime with a fair playing 
field where large and small play by the rules; rules meant to create a 
fairer system and to allow for the maximum benefits from international 
trade to be widely distributed among countries.

In this regard, we re-emphasize the importance for individual member 
states of the United Nations to abide by fair trading practices, which 
eliminate targeted barriers designed to deny access to small, 
vulnerable countries seeking economic opportunities through such 
options as Internet trading.

Equally important is the need for member States, big and small, to play
 
by the international trade rules.  The economic survival of our people 
depends on this.  Our Tourism and Financial Services Sector depend on 
this.

Wealthy nations will ultimately have to pay a high price for actions 
that further pauperise already poor societies.




Mr. President:

In a local context, the reduction of income inequality is a key 
priority for the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

My government has ensured that affirmative action to ease the economic 
squeeze on the poor is embedded in all revenue-generating mechanisms.

My government resolves to ensure that the benefits of economic growth 
is shared among the entire population, by focusing on employment 
generation and the provision of free and low-cost social services in 
the areas of health, education, among others.

Underscoring the importance of sustainable development

Mr. President,

Climate change is a global problem requiring a collective response, and
 
if we do not respond quickly, the result will be disaster on a global 
scale.

This represents a monumental test of the political will and courage of 
humanity in general, but especially of the political leaders of the 
most powerful countries.

For small-island states, the challenge of adapting to climate change is
 
not a new one, what is new is its urgency.

Increased risk of natural disasters adds an extra dimension to the 
vulnerability of the island-states of the Caribbean.

Because of our size and the nature of our primary economic activity, 
the infrastructure of an entire country can be destroyed by, for 
example, the passage of a single hurricane.

The livelihood of the entire population is at once threatened.

Antigua and Barbuda, like many of our other CARICOM brothers and 
sisters, have had to place greater priority on disaster preparedness, 
resulting in increased competition for the already meager resources of 
the government budget.

Our situation is not unique.
I take this opportunity to highlight the importance of international 
action to support our efforts at disaster risk reduction, through an 
ambitious climate change regime under the ambit of the UNFCCC.

This must, of necessity, include a commitment to increasing the level 
of international financing for adaptation in vulnerable countries.


Mr. President:

The proliferation of crime in our already vulnerable societies 
represents a threat to the peaceful and stable communities for which 
the Caribbean is known.

In all Caribbean societies, the bulk of violent crimes is drug related.

It so happens that the bulk of narco-trafficking activity in our region
 
is linked to illegal drugs bound for North America and Europe.

This means that small Caribbean economies are required to pay a high 
price to protect societies to our north, and the Atlantic from drug 
shipments headed their way.

We urge the UN family of agencies, in recognition of the link between 
globalization and crime, to provide the Caribbean with increased 
assistance in this area.

We also need the support and cooperation of individual member states, 
particularly those who practice a policy of criminal deportation.

This practice parachutes graduates of metropolitan criminal systems 
onto societies in which they often have no families, no social network 
to assist in their re-entry into vulnerable Caribbean societies from 
which they had long been exiled.

This is a monstrous assault on several of our societies.

Mr. President:

Related to the problem of drug related crimes and the proliferation of 
hand guns, Antigua and Barbuda reiterates its call for strengthening 
and implementation of the various UN treaties on small arms and light 
weapons.

The scale and scope of the disruptions and destruction caused by the 
proliferation of small arms in the hands of unemployed youth in the 
Caribbean is tremendous.

Here, too, small developing states, which produce no weapons, are 
confronted by the tragedy wrought by guns manufactured in countries 
which fail to control, and which appear untroubled by the ease with 
which their weapons of death cross international borders.

Even a miniscule increase in violent crime has a negative impact on 
development in small island states.

These perspectives should inform the international debate on peace and 
security.

Mr. President:

All countries, large and small, have a national interest in eliminating
 
the threat to development posed by international terrorism.

Antigua and Barbuda continues to play its part by adhering to the 
various anti-terrorism resolutions of the United Nations; including our
 
obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions 1540, 1373, among 
others.

Additionally, we have taken the added initiative to enact our own 
national legislative requirement by way of our National Anti-Terrorism 
Act of Parliament in 2005.

Mr. President:

Combating international terrorism should not depend on the trampling of
 
religious and cultural diversity and individual rights and freedoms.

Cultural and religious intolerance and prejudice; and the stifling of 
cultural diversity will only serve to perpetuate the causes of 
terrorism.

Promotion of International Justice

Mr. President:

Earlier this year Antigua and Barbuda along with the rest of CARICOM 
held activities to commemorate the bicentenary anniversary of the 
abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

CARICOM also led an initiative for the anniversary to be commemorated 
here at the United Nations. This is an issue that should remain on the 
agenda of the United Nations.

My government is proud to have been a part of the initiative led by 
CARICOM Member States at the United Nations to get the international 
community to recognize this anniversary.

Such international recognition is important because it provides the 
opportunity to carry forward the fight for justice.

With all the modern treaties and international statutes and recognition
 
of the slave trade as a crime against humanity, this crime remains 
unpunished; the entities remain unaccountable for their participation 
and profiteering.

Maintaining international focus on this issue gives our nations and the
 
world the opportunity to make progress in repairing the damage caused 
by 500 years of slavery and colonialism, so that those who profited 
 from such a crime can be urged to take responsibility for rectifying 
the effects that remain today.

Progress may be slow in the fight for justice for the descendants of 
slaves, but we must not give up.

As a community of sovereign nations, Antigua and Barbuda and the other 
CARICOM member states consider it necessary for the international 
community to become accountable for this crime against humanity. The 
question of reparations must be placed on the United Nations agenda
 now.

Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Mr. President,

We urge the UN system and member states to continue to pay special 
attention to the issue of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The dividends from investing in gender equality and women’s
 empowerment 
are two-fold – democratic gains on one hand and development gains on 
the other.

My government has placed top priority on empowering women politically 
and economically.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly in Antigua and Barbuda is female.
  
So, too, are the President of the Senate and the Clerk of Parliament.

My government has the honour of having the first female elected Member 
of Parliament, who currently holds the position of President of the 
Inter-American Commission on Women.

We haven’t stopped there.

The Chairman of the Integrity Commission pursuant to the Integrity in 
Public Life Act, is a woman

The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, appointed earlier this 
year on the advice of the Prime Minister, is female.

The Ombudsman, a creature of the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda is
 
also a woman.  The Chairman of the Public Service Commission, also a 
creature of the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda is a woman.

We continue to focus on increasing women’s participation in the 
political decision making-process.

In this, we have been helped by the normative framework of the various 
UN Gender entities.

We will continue to work towards even greater gender parity in the 
political, economic and social spheres, and we encourage all member 
states to do the same.

Mr. President:
As we in the Caribbean grapple with the increase in HIV/AIDS cases, we 
are also confronted with another great threat to the survival of our 
people.  Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases have become a major concern 
for the Caribbean.


Recently, an historic Summit of Heads of CARICOM on Chronic 
Non-Communicable Diseases held in Trinidad and Tobago, agreed to give 
full support for the initiatives and mechanisms aimed at strengthening 
regional health institutions, through the signing of a comprehensive 
Declaration highlighting a plan of action on this critical health
 issue.
We strongly believe that “the health of the Region is the wealth of 
Region�, which underscored the importance of health to development.

It is therefore necessary for the United Nations, through its various 
organs and agencies, to lend support to our initiatives to develop 
strategies to prevent and control heart disease, stroke, diabetes, 
hypertension, obesity and cancer in the Region by addressing their 
causal risk factors of unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco 
use and alcohol abuse in addition to strengthening our health services.

We must act together now to reduce the suffering and burdens caused by 
NCDs on the citizens of our Region which is the worst affected in the 
Americas.
We seek the cooperation of the United Nations and our international 
partners in the development of initiatives for the screening and 
management of chronic diseases and risk factors so that by 2012, 80% of
 
people with NCDs would receive quality care and have access to 
preventive education based on regional and international guidelines.
Mr. President:

Allow me to conclude on the point at which I began, by referring once 
more to the Charter of the United Nations.

Sixty-two years ago, when the United Nations was formed, the 
international system was less complex and colonialism was still the 
dominant concern.

Humanity was reeling from the effects of a second world war. It was not
 
the best of times.

Today, in my opinion, it is still not the best of times for a majority 
of the people of planet earth.

The primary catalysts to positive change and improved lives for the 
global population are the United Nations and Leaders of its member 
states.

I am hopeful that sharing our collective wisdom, and drawing from this 
source, the 62nd United Nations General Assembly will translate into 
meaningful and enduring benefit for the peoples of the world.

I am equally confident that our deliberations on climate change will 
lead to solutions that will ensure the protection of our Planet and its
 
peoples.

I thank you, Mr. President.