STATEMENT BY DENMARK AT THE 65TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY GENERAL DEBATE 28 SEPTEMBER 2010

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Global challenges – global response

Mr. President, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

The world is undergoing profound changes. Globalisation is progressing at an unprecedented speed. The boundaries between domestic and foreign policies are evolving. Developments in one region may trigger unintended actions in other parts of the world. New actors – for good and for bad – have stepped onto the international scene.

The world is now on the way to recovery from the financial and economic crises of most recent years. More structural challenges like climate change, poverty and demographic projections as well as the new security threats, however, will increasingly impact the global agenda. To be able to respond to such challenges, we need an effective multilateral system, founded on universal rules and values and global legitimacy. Here we turn to the United Nations.

Mr. President,
With the Lisbon Treaty into force, the European Union has established the necessary structures to take on the challenges of the 21st century and has enhanced its capacity as a global player. We look forward to seeing this reflected in the future position of the EU in the UN and regret that is has not yet been possible to come to an agreement on this issue. The EU will retain an observer status at the UN General Assembly. The main effect of the draft resolution will be to enable the European Union's new permanent interlocutors to represent the EU effectively in the General Assembly, speaking on behalf of the European Union and of its Member States as agreed by them. The EU has a clear commitment to effective multilateralism with the United Nations at its core.

Mr. President,
One of the most significant global challenges today is to fulfil the promises of the Millennium Declaration for a better world for everyone. With last week’s MDG Summit, a new momentum has been build: A momentum for action, for implementation of commitments, and for focusing our common efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Five years is not a long time, especially when we also need to overcome the effects of the financial and economic crisis. But our task is clear. We must make the MDGs a reality for all. We need to accelerate progress and scale up our efforts, where approaches have proven to be successful. We have to be innovative. Developing countries must focus their political will, administrative capacity and budgetary resources on reaching the MDGs, while we as donors must live up to our ODA commitments.

We have clear evidence that fragile and conflict affected countries are lagging most behind with regard to the achievement of the MDG’s. The comparative advantage of the UN system, and its unique possibilities in combining humanitarian, peacekeeping, peace-building, recovery and developmental approaches, are especially relevant in relation to these countries. We strongly encourage the ongoing efforts to strengthen UN’s role in this regard. We welcome the Secretary General’s steps to strengthen the peace-building architecture, but more work is needed in areas such as strengthened integrated missions, improving in-country leadership and strengthen the Peacebuilding Support Office in order to forward the peacebuilding agenda.

Mr. President,
Green growth is an important challenge that offers new opportunities for employment, innovation and wealth creation in both developed and developing countries. Together we must strive to optimizing resource efficiency and applying green technologies. Renewable energy is a good example of how new technologies can contribute to development by providing secure, sustainable and affordable energy to millions of people.

Green growth is not an obstacle in regard to development but an opportunity. We must unite our efforts to take this agenda forward in the immediate future and in preparation for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development – Rio+20 – in May 2012.

Climate Change continues to be one of the greatest and most pressing challenges of our time, and we are already starting to experience the consequences. From the melting icecaps in the Arctic, heat waves in Russia, floods in Pakistan to droughts in Africa: It concerns all of us, and concerted and urgent action is needed.

The Copenhagen Accord contains delicate political compromises, paving the way for reaching, eventually, a global, legally binding international agreement within the UN framework. More than 130 countries – covering more than 80 per cent of global emissions – have now associated themselves with the Accord reached in Copenhagen last year. We underline the importance of the commitments on fast-start financing, which must be fulfilled. We are looking forward to COP16 in Cancun, hoping for a successful outcome that will significantly advance negotiations.

Mr. President,
In the ever more interdependent – and ever more uncertain – world we live in, it is of priority to uphold the principles and objectives, and the universal rights and fundamental values which are enshrined in the UN Charter and which form the very basis for global stability, development and prosperity. Strengthening the mutual understanding between cultures is an important challenge and a valuable opportunity for all of us.

During the past month we have witnessed just how important it is to maintain mutual respect and understanding. As history has taught us, there are always those who are ready to do the unthinkable in order to catch the attention of the international media. The threats to burn the Quran in Florida were a particularly repulsive example of this phenomenon. We strongly condemn such acts. But as we have learned; the more attention we give such individual acts of provocation, the more they will multiply.

We must never allow such acts to steer our steps from the path of dialogue. We must stand firmly and jointly against any call to strife and violence.

States must ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of their citizens in order for each individual to take an active part in shaping his and her own future to the benefit and prosperity of all. Women’s rights and gender issues are an essential part of human rights. The women’s rights agenda supports and strengthens the overall effort of human rights implementation.

International peace and security rest upon the ability and willingness of states to ensure the protection of its population from human rights violations and atrocity crimes. In this context, I welcome the ongoing debate among member states on the Responsibility to Protect. Denmark will take an active part in the further development of this concept which provides the framework for a comprehensive approach. It is closely linked to another key Danish priority: That of strengthening the Rule of Law. Be it at the global, regional or national level the rule of law provides transparency and accountability and thereby leads to better governance. The establishment of the office of an Ombudsperson in relation to the 1267 Committee is a successful example of our work at the global level.

Piracy off the coast of Somalia presents a regional challenge, which Denmark - through our naval efforts off Somalia and Danish chairmanship of the Legal Working Group on combating piracy– is committed to meeting. And at the national level, Denmark in close cooperation with partner countries provides hundreds of millions of dollars to strengthen legal systems and judicial capacities around the world. Let me here stress, that our strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in no way springs from a wish for the Court to prosecute all international crimes. National jurisdictions are almost always better placed to combat impunity and through our rule of law programmes we seek to promote true national ownership and complementarity for those able and willing to face the hard choices.

Mr. President,
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is the most serious danger of globalisation. Following many years of deadlock, however, 2010 has been a year of progress. We welcome the international momentum in dealing with the issue of nuclear weapons as reflected in the new US-Russian START-agreement, the Nuclear Summit and notably, the results of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May. It is important that all state parties commit to implementing the measures of the NPT action plan.

The issue of non-proliferation remains high on the agenda. Not least due to our deepening concerns about the alleged peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. With the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1929, the international community has sent a clear signal to the Iranian leadership that we do not tolerate the continuous and increasingly grave violations of Iran’s international obligations. Hopefully, this resolution may help convince Iran to change its current path and enter into negotiations.

Mr. President,
I would like to use this opportunity to welcome the parliamentary election in Afghanistan earlier this month, which is yet another step on Afghanistan’s road towards democracy. The election comes after the successful outcome of the Kabul Conference. We look forward to the implementation of the conference initiatives leading to the transition towards full Afghan ownership in all areas.

The international community and the UN must continue to play a supporting role in Afghanistan in the years to come. In this context, Denmark believes there needs to be a coordinated engagement – civilian and military – in Afghanistan as a precondition for success.

The regional aspects also need to be addressed. In this context, my thoughts go to the people and the government of Pakistan who not only have experienced sacrifices due to terrorism, but also heavy losses and suffering due to the unprecedented flooding of the country. Denmark has so far this year committed more than 45 million USD in assistance to Pakistan.

Mr. President,
Denmark welcomes the recent re-launch of direct negotiations between the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority on reaching an agreement on all the core issues within one year. We also welcome the Quartet’s statement encouraging these talks. The negotiations will be difficult, but we believe an agreement is possible and is in the interest of not only Israelis and Palestinians, but also of the peoples in the region and beyond.

We strongly support the American efforts in facilitating the negotiations, and we call on the parties to negotiate in good faith and to live up to their obligations. The direct peace talks actualize the importance of enhanced international political and financial support for Palestinian state building. Denmark and the EU stand ready to assist in fulfilling the goal of two states for two peoples living side by side in peace and security.

Peace needs to be secured in all parts of the world. In this context, the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement is vital to the future of Sudan. The international community needs to support the referendum process to secure inclusive, free and transparent elections. Without prejudging the outcome of the referendum, I would like to stress the importance of developing institutional capacity and create more self-sustainability in South Sudan. Likewise, I am very concerned about the humanitarian situation in many parts of Sudan. Focus should be on securing access to all areas for humanitarian workers and international peace keepers. In Somalia focus must be on the need to support the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and improve coordination of assistance, including within the UN system.

Mr. President,
The best way to deal with these global challenges is through an effective and strong multilateral system – through a strong UN system. The ability of the UN to effectively and efficiently deal with the global agenda of the 21st Century must be improved. Continuing the paths of System Wide Coherence and “Delivering as One” is part of this. Reforms of the inter-governmental machinery and of the workings of the Secretariat must also be pursued. We welcome the on-going intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform aimed at changing the membership in order to reflect the world of today.

Let me use this opportunity to welcome the establishment of UN WOMEN and the appointment of Ms. Michelle Bachelet as the first Under-Secretary-General and Head of UN Women. We have high expectations that this new organization will contribute to streamlining in the area of gender and of women’s rights and development throughout the United Nations system.

In the area of peacekeeping, we commend initiatives, such as “New Horizon” to readjust UN Peacekeeping efforts in light of the experiences gathered during the last decade of immense growth in UN peacekeeping operations.

Mr. President,
Today’s world is more complex than ever. But on so many issues, countries want to work together towards long-lasting solutions. More often than not they turn to the United Nations to find answers. They turn to an international body whose strength has been, and still is, based on its unique global legitimacy. Hence, they – we – expect the UN to live up to expectations – to perform, to show leadership and to push the envelope. Global challenges call for global answers. The UN must live up to this call, fulfilling the aspirations of the Charter. No less can do for the 21st Century.

I thank you.