Global Policy Forum

Comments Regarding NGOs During the General Debate of the 54th Session of the General Assembly

Print

September 20 - October 2, 1999


The following references to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are excerpted from addresses made by Member States during the general debate of the 54th session of the General Assembly. The references are given in chronological order.

Before Georgia was accepted into the Council of Europe, the issue of press freedom, the conditions of prisoners and many other aspects of human rights were scrutinised, said Mr. Eduard Shevardnadze, the President of Georgia. "Georgia is grateful to the Council of Europe and other international bodies and NGOs for their undiminished attention to this critical aspect of the life in our country, and for their unbiased assessments and recommendations." (Statement p. 7, 20 Sept. 1999)

Mr. Andres Pastrana, the President of Colombia, said that a great co-ordinated effort is required among the institutions with new international actors, among which are non-governmental organizations, to promote a real association within a globalised, but fairer system. "The 20th century has demonstrated that, over horror and cruelty, what was considered a Utopia has prevailed: the United Nations. The UN must develop further its co-operation with regional organizations." (Statement p. 14, 20 Sept. 1999)

Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, the Prime Minister of Norway, mentioned that Norway, as Chairman-in Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, has been working to build closer relations with the UN system. "We need constructive interaction between all international, governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in peace-keeping and post-conflict work in Europe and elsewhere." (Statement p. 3, 20 Sept. 1999)

"Another pressing problem is (the) prevention of illicit flow of arms and military material into zones of conflict and enforcement of an effective implementation of the Security Council's arms embargoes. Most disturbing is the fact that the Security Council's sanctions are violated mostly by non-African countries which have turned Africa into a storehouse of all kinds of weapons", said Mr. Mikulas Dzurinda, the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic. "Slovakia firmly adheres to all Security Council's decisions, including sanctions. We believe that Security Council's sanctions' committees should be actively engaged in ensuring the concerted efforts of all actors concerned - Governments, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, private companies and opinion leaders - in order to identify the sources of arms flows into zones of conflict and cut off military forces and rebel groups from their sources and thus eliminate their ability to wage war." (Statement p. 6, 21 Sept. 1999)

On the issue of anti-personnel landmines, Mr. Masahiko Koumura, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, said that "it is now necessary to achieve a universal and effective ban on anti-personnel landmines and to clear the mine areas, while extending assistance to mine victims, among whom are many children. Japan has so far contributed financial assistance of more than $40 million to international organizations and non-governmental organizations, and will continue further to strive to achieve the goal of "zero victims" at an early date." (Statement p. 4, 21 Sept. 1999)

An international conference on "Combating Child Pornography on the Internet" was hosted last week in Austria, Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, said. This conference was organised with the European Commission and the United States of America to bring together high-level officials from Ministries of the Interior and Justice, the judiciary and the police, representatives and experts from international and regional organizations, NGOs and the industry, especially Internet Service Providers. The UN system was represented by experts from UNICEF and the UN Center for International Crime Prevention. "The main objectives of the conference are to reinforce co-operation among law-enforcement officials and the judiciary, the establishment of voluntary self-regulatory mechanisms among Internet Service Providers and the further development of hotlines and networks among them. The results of the initiative will be presented to the United Nations." (Statement p. 3, 21 Sept. 1999)

A "culture of prevention" has to be developed to prevent the outbreak of wars and natural disasters more effectively in future, said Mr. Joschka Fischer, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. "We must move on from early warning to early response." The UN, in particular, "has considerable resources at its disposal for preventive diplomacy, which must be used even more. There is also a great potential for synergy in co-operation with NGOs". (Statement p. 6, 22 Sept. 1999)

The terrible earthquakes that shook Turkey and Greece have accelerated the process of mutual co-operation, said Mr. George Papandreou, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece. "Spontaneous and dramatic acts of fraternity and solidarity between the citizens of both countries short-circuited elaborate diplomatic strategies and exerted powerful pressure on our governments to move ahead boldly. (…) Expressions of solidarity and friendship shared by so many non-governmental organizations and particularly by members of the Greek and Turkish rescue workers. (…) These people did not wait for us to act. Their actions globalise democracy. This is one more lesson for democracy. International relations, humanitarianism, peace and co-operation have much to gain if we allow for "citizens diplomacy" and give our full support to constructive roles for non-governmental organizations in this world." Building on this unique experience, Greece joins hands with its Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, to announce to the UN Assembly the establishment of a joint Stand-by Disaster Response Unit, comprising contingents drawn from governmental and non-governmental agencies of both countries to reinforce the UN capacity in this field. (Statement p. 8, 22 Sept. 1999)

"The reconstruction of Kosovo is important, including the establishment of a well-functioning civil administration", said Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark. "The UN family and many NGOs are undertaking important tasks that deserve the full support of Denmark." (Statement p. 5, 22 Sept. 1999) Mr. Jan Kavan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic said, that the Czech Republic sees the importance of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) because it co-ordinates activities of international, regional, governmental, and non-governmental organizations. (Statement p. 4, 22 Sept. 1999)

"If children can claim protection, women should equally deserve the greatest attention of our international community. Discrimination and injustice in the name of gender differences, a source of so much pain and humiliation, are still being tolerated. (…) In a report recently presented to the "Sous-commission pour la promotion et la protection des droits de l'homme", an NGO known for its competence and rigour is said that in numerous countries, women, wives and mothers still suffer an intolerable treatment", said Prince Albert of Monaco. He underlined the fact that the high level debate of ECOSOC in July contributed to drawing attention to the role that employment and work have in eradicating poverty by emphasising on the promotion of women. (Statement p. 3, 23 Sept.1999)

The Secretary-General mentioned that more must be done to protect humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help the victims of war. Mr. Lloyd Axworthy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, said that his country "will be seeking an additional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of UN and Associated Personnel, to provide legal protection to all personnel working in situations of armed conflict, including a broader range of NGOs and locally employed personnel. (…) The United Nations cannot do it all. The challenges to advancing human safety are complex. Regional organizations play an important role. Practical co-operation between countries can address specific problems. The participation of members of civil society and non-governmental organizations is also imperative". (Statement pp. 4, 5, 23 Sept. 1999)

Mr. Aleksandar Dimitrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, saluted the efforts for full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 1244, which supports a peaceful and political solution to the Kosovo crisis. "The Republic of Macedonia, in this respect, shall continue to support the UNMIK, EU, OSCE, Council of Europe and all other international governmental and non-governmental organizations." (Statement p. 2, 23 Sept. 1999)

Part of the Cuban delegation were three young Cubans representing their country's students and children who were here on behalf of the social organizations that went before the corresponding courts to file the claim against the U.S. government, demanding reparation and compensation for damages and injuries suffered by thousands of people, said Mr. Felipe Perez Roque, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba. Also part of the delegation were three Cuban personalities from the field of medicine who reported about the harm that has resulted from the blockade of medicines imposed against Cuba, and three members of the Christian church who supported the proclamation made in Cuba's National Assembly to demand the trial and punishment of the guilty parties. "They are prepared to respond, here in the United States, to any question posed to them, or to meet with the press, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers or even a U.S. Congress committee. (…) We are prepared (…) to demonstrate the facts that support our assertions." (Statement pp. 12, 13, 25 Sept. 1999)

Mr. Juan Gabriel Valdes, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Chile, expressed his "cautious optimism for the future of our Organization. Many states and many of the non-governmental organizations that comprise an increasingly vibrant international civil society would like to raise the profile of the United Nations. It is our hope that the Millennium Assembly, to which we have given all our support, might become the symbol of a renewed and much stronger United Nations as it faces the new century". (Statement p. 11, 25 Sept. 1999)

Mongolia, in close partnership with United Nations organizations and NGOs, has successfully organised in 1998-99 the "One World Conference Series", said Mr. R. Amarjargal, the Prime Minister of Mongolia. "The aim of the six national conferences was to raise awareness at the grassroots level of the commitments made at the global conferences and ensure their integrated and co-ordinated follow up." (Statement p. 6, 25 Sept. 1999)

Dr. Mate Granic, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, mentioned, that the Croatian "Government, through its National Committee for Human Rights Education, in co-operation with UNESCO and experts from the Council of Europe, is preparing a national Program on Human Rights Education, targeting school children at primary and secondary level. (…) The program includes education programs for the military and police, the provision of advice to government officials and non-governmental organizations." (Statement p. 6, 25 Sept. 1999)

"The conclusion of the global ban on landmines is one of the outstanding achievements of our time", said Mr. David Andrews T.D., the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, and saluted the leadership of Canada, which worked with determined governments and in co-operation with the non-governmental community. (Statement p. 6, 25 Sept. 1999)

"The task of advancing human rights has always benefited from the push and pull of civic society. It will be even more so in the new century, as governments and the United Nations work in closer alliance and co-operation with NGOs, research organizations and advocacy groups. Next month, some 3,000 NGO representatives will gather (in) Seoul, Korea, to take part in the 1999 International Conference of NGOs. Exploring the role of the NGOs in the 21st century global community, the meeting from October 11 to 15 should bring the United Nations systems and civic society closer together", said Mr. Hong Soon-young, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea. (Statement p. 6, 30 Sept. 1999)

For small island developing states like the Solomon Islands, post-cold-war security now embraces human, environmental and economic dimensions, said the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Mr. Bartholomew Ulufa'Alu. "Investment in human resources development is not only vital but a critical prerequisite to embrace national peace, stability and economic prosperity. We appreciate the humanitarian assistance of our development partners in our region and non-governmental organizations including the Red Cross. " (Statement p. 3, 30 Sept. 1999)

The Government of Saint Lucia hosted in May 1999 the annual "United Nations Seminar of the Decolonization Committee to Review the Economic, Political and Constitutional Developments in the Remaining Small Islands Non-Self-Governing Territories." This highly successful seminar brought together representatives from governments and non-governmental organizations and experts from the Caribbean and Pacific Region, explained Mr. George W. Odlum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Saint Lucia. (Statement p. 2, 30 Sept. 1999)

"The United Nations cannot remain aloof to the requirements of civil society. Increased co-operation between the Organization and civil society, including the private sector, can only make the organization stronger. The important role played particularly by NGOs in the adoption of the Rome Statute and the Anti Personnel Landmines Convention must be acknowledged and ways explored to enhance it. " Mr. Brown J. Mpinganjira, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Malawi, mentioned that the increased contacts between the UN and civil society will assure the continued relevance of the Organization in the 21st Century. (Statement pp.15, 16, 1 Oct. 1999)

 

FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Global Policy Forum distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.