Human Security: Compilation of References*

Antigua and Barbuda
H.E. Mr. Patrick Albert Lewis, Chairman Of The Delegation
20 September 2002

A small island developing state such as Antigua and Barbuda cannot deliver a statement at the United Nations General Assembly without reminding of the imperfections of globalisation and to call again for meaningful` remedies. When we consider the present thrust toward 'globalisation, we once again see our lack of significance in the global scheme of operations. Clearly, globalisation leads to the reduction of the sovereignty of states, with the weakest and the smallest being the biggest losers. Sadly lacking in the arguments for globalisation is the need to give consideration to the pace, direction and content of liberalization, due to different levels of development and the need to build up national capabilities. Above all is the insistence on free trade for the developing world and the exemption of the same for the industrialized countries. Protective devices are in-build for farmers in the dominant economies which include subsidies, guaranteed markets, payments not to produce beyond a certain level in order to maintain means of processing and to have this done under the most stringent of guidelines. On the other hand when former colonial countries provide preferences to their previous colonies of exploitation, challenges are mounted through the World Trade Organization by multinational enterprises. All this is done with the knowledge that in modern times there has never been free trade.

Austria
Her Excellency Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
14 September 2002

As of July of this year, Austria chairs the Human Security Network, the only inter—regional grouping in the UN framework particularly propelling issues of human security. In my capacity as chairperson of this group I have put the following two issues on the top of our agenda: the need for a globally shared acquisition of a human rights culture through human rights education and for effectively addressing the enormous plight suffered by an ever growing number of children in the world exposed to the horrors of armed conflict.

The first "Human Rights City" in Europe, the Austrian city of Graz, will also host next year's Ministerial Meeting of the Human Security Network. In this context I should also like to express Austria's strong support for the adoption of the draft protocol of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In my function as President of the Human Security Network I have also taken the initiative in the framework of the group of female foreign ministers to raise the issue of Amina Lawal in a common letter to the Foreign Minister of Nigeria in order to remind Nigeria of her obligations under international human rights law.

Barbados
Her Excellency The Honourable Billie Miller, MP, Deputy Prime Minister And Minister For Foreign Affairs And Foreign Trade
19 September 2002

It is opportune for us to undertake a similar exercise in respect of the United Nations. We must return this organization to it basic mandate, and seek to have its energies and focus redirected to substantive action in the twin areas of peace and development. The unique attributes of the United Nations and its multilateral structure can serve to build consensus and promote cooperation in the search for solutions to the most pressing problems affecting human security.

… For Barbados, our greatest resource lies in the creativity and resilience of our people. We are persuaded that the betterment of the human condition is the fundamental objective of economic progress. The HIV/AIDS pandemic rates with terrorism and narco-trafficking as one of the major new and emerging threats to human security. According to information provided by the Pan American Health Organisation, there are currently 2.8 million people in the Americas living with HIV/AIDS. Of that number, 420,000 live in the wider Caribbean, accounting for over 2% of its adult population. In response to the International Declaration of Commitment, Barbados has established a target of 50% reduction in the HIV/AIDS mortality rate and in incidence of the disease over the next three years. We are also working toward the enactment of appropriate anti-discriminatory legislation by 2006. Our National Commission continues to support the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS which is coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat.

Barbados is one of four English-speaking Caribbean countries selected to participate in the Caribbean Regional Training Initiative. The World Bank, from which Barbados has been graduated, made special provision for the securing of a US$ 15.1 million loan to procure the highly active anti-retroviral therapy program for HIV Positive Barbadians, free of cost to them at point of delivery.

Botswana
H.E. Mr. Festus Mogae, M.P. President
September 17, 2002

Mr. President, we live in a world of diverse cultures and traditions. And yet we are united by our common humanity. There is no alternative to coming together to address the many dangers that threaten humanity. No one country can hope to successfully confront these global challenges on its own, be they under development, poverty and insecurity or the threat to peace.

Canada
H.E. The Honourable William Graham, Minister For Foreign Affairs
12 September 2002

Our reaction to terrorism must be steadfast, to be sure, and we must make no concession to the agents of terror. But if we want our reaction to be truly effective, it must enhance both national security and individual human security. In fact, democratic governance, as well as security, find their most solid foundation in societies in which rights and freedoms are respected and where, as a result, dissidence more often than not takes constructive, rather than violent, forms.

Chile
Her Excellency Mrs. Soledad Alvear, Minister for Foreign Affairs
13 September 2002

Against this backdrop of change, the concept of human security has emerged. We would like people to be the focus of all multilateral deliberations. This was the priority that Chile advocated a decade ago with its initiative for the convening of a Summit on Social Development. And this same concern today inspires our participation in the Human Security Network, which Chile has coordinated this year.

Human security is associated firstly with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as with public order at the State level, which in turn requires strict respect for the rule of law. Human security not only takes the form of the absence of traditional conflicts but is also reflected in integration, cooperation and understanding between the different actors in a society. It is this social environment that must be strengthened through innovative and effective strategies.

Chile's candidacy for a seat on the Security Council for the period 2003 -2004, which has the support of our regional group of Latin American and the Caribbean, and we wish once again to express our appreciation for that support, seeks to strengthen the multilateral approach to crisis that threaten international peace and security, and also to place human security at the center of the concerns of this principal organ of the United Nations.

… Let us advance towards global human security.

Dominica
H.E. The Honourable Osborne Riviere, Minister For Foreign Affairs
14 September 2002

Sadly, terrorism remains today, one of the greatest threats to human security.

Democratic People's Republic Of Korea
H.E. Mr. Choe Su Hon, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
September 17, 2002

As the Korean people undergo immeasurable pains and misfortunes due to the division of the country and the nation, the world realizes that, as long as the homogeneous Korean nation remains artificially divided, Korea could never be peaceful, nor could peace and security be expected there.

Hunger, poverty and external debts become deteriorated and the inequality in international economic and trade relations and the gap between the rich and the poor further widened.

In order to achieve the purposes of the United Nations, fair international economic and trade relations should be established and the right to development respected. Unless the present unfair international economic system is redressed, poverty cannot be eliminated, the gap between the rich and the poor removed and sustainable development for all ensured.

Mali
S.E.M Lassana Traore, Ministre Des Affaires Etrangeres Et Des Maliens De L'exterieur
le 19 septembre 2002

Le Mali est résolument déterminé à garantir la sécurité de l'individu dans toute sa dimension. C'est pourquoi, mon pays est membre à part entière du Réseau de la Sécurité Humaine. Il souscrit pleinement à la nécessité de la mise en synergie des efforts déployés dans le cadre de la destruction des mines antipersonnel, de la lutte contre le commerce illicite et la prolifération des armes légères et de petit calibre ayant abouti à l'adoption d'un Programme d'Action de l'ONU, aux fins d'abréger les souffrances humaines causées par ces fléaux.

Mongolia
H.E. Mr. Luvsan Erdenechuluun, Minister For Foreign Affairs
15 September 2002

Yet, much still remains to be done to sustain the progress achieved, to honor commitments made and to redress setbacks to international peace and security in today's volatile environment. The tragic events of 9/11 have shown that there is a need for a fundamental change in our perception of security. More weapons, allocation of more resources to military do not necessarily translate into increased security. Security can no longer be confined to boundaries of a single State, or even a group of States. This indivisibility of global security puts multilateralism as an order of the day. To paraphrase the Secretary-General - let us all recognize that today global security is our national security. Let us also recognize that ensuring the security of a human person must be at the heart of our concern. The concept of human security is increasingly making a case for itself.

… The world has been threatened not only by escalation of tension in various regions. It has also been threatened by increasing human insecurity resulting from the failure of the international community to deliver on crucial commitments it made during the 1990s.

… Mongolia believes that with its impartiality and universal legitimacy as well as its Charter-based prevalence over any other international agreement, the United Nations is uniquely placed to provide for global governance in economic and social areas allowing equal participation of the South in its decision-making process. Therefore, we believe it is high time to engage in an earnest dialogue on entirely new framework of development cooperation more responsive to the emerging imperatives of global human security. The new development partnership between the North and the South, as we see it, should be based on justice, not on charity; on equitable sharing of global market opportunities, not on protectionism or aid; on mutual cooperation, not on unilateral conditionality or confrontation. The Economic and Social Council, in accordance with the objectives set forth in Article 55 of the Charter, has an important role to play in initiating and promoting this dialogue.

Furthermore, transnational organized crime, illicit drugs, money-laundering, illegal arms trafficking, spread of HIV/AIDS, global pollution, climate change and other negative phenomena pose a persistent threat to both rich and poor nations alike. They call for a new cooperation framework to defend new frontiers of global human security and to fill critical gaps in the existing system of global economic governance. In a descending era of globalization the formidable challenges facing the human family require an adequate response. It would be a fallacy to replace a fundamental reform with a piecemeal approach or marginal remedies. If there is a strong political will on the part of the international community to collectively stand up to these challenges, then why not engage in common quest for an adequate architecture of global governance for human security.

… My own country - Mongolia with inherent development handicap of being landlocked and high susceptibility to natural disasters is not immune to many of the above threats to human security. Along with persistent existence of poverty and unemployment, disruption of basic health and social services, human security in Mongolia is further affected by increasing recurrence and expansion of natural disasters, spread of environmental degradation, including desertification, water and air pollution. Efforts to improve human security are additionally hampered by extremely low population density, weak infrastructure and small, non-diversified economy highly vulnerable to external shocks.

Capitalizing on its valuable assets of well-educated human resources and accumulated experience in simultaneous reforms in the political and economic areas, Mongolia is endeavoring to ensure human security of its people through both national action and international cooperation.

Nationally, my Government launched in late 2000 the Good Governance for Human Security Program aimed at improving the capacity to formulate and implement policies to ensure human security. What we have succeeded in doing so far is to secure national commitment by all the branches of the State power to its implementation; institutionalize the program's implementation mechanism; and lay the groundwork for greater involvement and participation of the civil society, private sector and academia.

… In recognition of the crucial role of education in ensuring sustainable human development and human security my delegation is pleased to note that at its last session the General Assembly proclaimed on the initiative of Mongolia the ten-year period starting January 1, 2003, as the United Nations Literacy Decade. We look forward to the unanimous adoption of the Decade's Plan of Action at this session of the General Assembly.

… Last year my Prime Minister in his address to the General Assembly appealed to the international community to make the first decade of this new century a decade of implementation and cooperation towards a safer and better world, as we cannot afford failing yet another decade if we are serious about ensuring human security. We cannot afford failing to implement the far-reaching yet achievable targets set by our leaders at the Millennium Summit. And all the more so as our failure or inaction could be used as justification of deadly acts by those who threaten peace, stability and social progress.

Norway
H. E. Mr. Kjell-Magne Bondevik, Prime Minister
12 September 2002

As leaders, we have a responsibility to protect our citizens. We must focus on human security and protection from violence. Civilians are targeted or used as instruments for intimidation and terror. Women and children are increasingly vulnerable. Relief workers and others who volunteer to help people in need, are subject to deliberate attacks and acts of violence. Our commitment to human security means that we must effectively apply

international humanitarian law.

Solomon Islands
H.E. The Honourable Sir Allan Kemakeza, Prime Minister
September 17, 2002

As we journey into this new millennium, challenges facing the international community are more daunting. Human ingenuity and technological advances complicate these challenges. Acts of terrorism and armed conflicts proliferate in many parts of the world. Prospects for progressive economic and social services and security, and improved living standards for the vast majority of the world's population become mere unrealized dreams.

Nonetheless, as an international instrument for the promotion and the betterment of human life, the United Nations has considerable ability and experience in pursuing what is best for the common good of all peoples around the world, including guaranteeing world peace and security though the Security Council.

Our second strategy is the formulation of a national economic recovery plan. This plan focuses on the strengthening of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure development sectors. Besides giving closer attention to the promotion of health and education services, the plan also addresses population growth and ensures promotion of responsible environmental management. I am happy to register here that, presently, we are also working on a "sustainable development plan" for the country.

An integrated financial package for this strategy was submitted to our development partners. Thus far, the responses received, while encouraging, still provoke questions that require serious and genuine consideration in view of our present circumstances. It is here that we do sincerely look forward to the UN for assistance in facilitating closer consultation and constructive engagement with the World Bank, IMF, ABD and the ADB.

Mr. President,

The huge amount of debt that burdens poor countries is real. This continues to afflict most third world countries, including small island states such as Solomon Islands. This is a real challenge that my people and country face as we launch out with our best efforts and endeavors to rebuild our nation and maintain our independence and sovereignty with dignity, integrity and respect during these difficult times as well as in the future. On this important point, the United Nations should consider supporting debt forgiveness for countries that are debt-strapped. Solomon Islands can be included in this category.

Peace of mind and safety from danger are not achieved by a mere absence of war. Rather, they are the product of a nation's ability to achieve sustainable economic prosperity, better education, and health and social services for all its peoples. Peace and security to every human soul are simply about meeting the most BASIC NEEDS.

Solomon Islands is very much aware of its vulnerability to natural and man-induced disasters. Like other small island developing countries, we continue to seek recognition from the international community not only to recognize the uniqueness of our vulnerability but also to take concerted actions towards achieving many of our goals and objectives for sustainable development collectively as a group and individually as nation.

Swaziland
H.E. The Right Honourable Barnabas Sibusiso Dlami, Prime Minister
20 September 2002

At precisely this moment of maximum disadvantage, the Kingdom of Swaziland and others in the southern African region, have been hit hard by food shortages, affecting 21% of our people, largely through the failure of rains. We have been warned that the situation will deteriorate further in. this next season with the likely advent of the "El Nino" effect. Furthermore, the food security situation; has been exacerbated by other problems such as lack of clean drinking water in,. ':rural areas and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses and deaths Which leave families with. . severely diminished resources to cope with their basic needs.

We are making every effort from our scarce resources to help our people, and we have as one of our top priorities the construction of dams throughout the rural areas, where the crisis is the most serious. The Kingdom of Swaziland is grateful to the Secretary-General and the United Nations agencies for the efforts made towards addressing these problems through the launching of a United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal, in response to the humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa. We are grateful for the response to the Appeal, and we hope for increased support as the famine grips us even tighter.

As we discuss the issue of conflict and global insecurity, there can be no doubt that at thecentre of the problem is the issue of control of the illicit trade in resources and arms ofwar. We know that much of the instability in Africa is fuelled by the easy accessibility ofsmall arms and light weapons, and we call on the manufacturing countries to considerways in which to restrict the export of these instruments of death. Furthermore, theKingdom of Swaziland believes that the very future of humankind is threatened by theexistence and spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Switzerland
H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, Federal Counsellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs
13 September 2002

Today, we see security problems from a broader angle, that of human security. Men, women and children must be able to live in this world without fear of death, starvation and despotism. In particular, we must protect vulnerable individuals and groups. Switzerland will continue its efforts in favour of human security. This includes stopping the recruitment of child soldiers, eliminating anti-personnel mines, and stopping the

proliferation of small arms.

Tanzania
H.E. The Honourable Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, M.P. Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
September 17, 2002

It was very gratifying, indeed, to note that due regard was also given to the burning issues of education, health, energy, shelter, water and sanitation, as well as agriculture, in particular food security. The abundance of pledges to fight poverty, promote social and economic development and enhance measures to deal with pollution and protect the environment from all speakers and participants was very reassuring indeed. However, what many stakeholders, including those from my country, are anxiously waiting to see is how to move beyond rhetoric to concrete action.

The security situation in Burundi is still fragile. The new transitional government installed on 1 November 2001 is functioning but the continuation of the civil war seems to undermine its base. Tanzania underscores the significance of getting a ceasefire agreement for the sake of the people of Burundi and the success of the transitional government. It is in appreciation of that imperative that my President, H.E. Benjamin W. Mkapa accepted the request of the Facilitator and that of H.E. Pierre Buyoya, President of Burundi, for Tanzania to help urge the rebels to come to the negotiating table.

Thailand
H.E. Mr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister for Foreign Affairs
17 September 2002

Indeed, the post 9/11 world has to rely a lot more on the role of the multilateral mechanism to promote peace, security and prosperity in the international community. More than ever before, today's terrorism continues to be a threat to human security and global economic stability.

… The present Thai Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is determined to see the Thai people enjoy the benefit of freedom from fear, and freedom from want. Human security has therefore been placed as one of this Government's important policies. Thailand believes that we shall be one of the first few countries in the world to set up a Ministry of Human Security for these specific purposes. This Ministry is due to be inaugurated next month. Thailand is also proud to be one of the thirteen members of the Human Security Network, whose work is well in progress.

The scourge of drugs is one issue that deprives our people of both freedom from fear and freedom from want, while poverty remains a major threat to human security. Since taking up office earlier last year, the present Thai Government has waged war against drugs and war against poverty with resolute determination to win them both. And we are not doing it alone. On drugs, our partnership in tackling this global threat through bilateral, regional and international cooperative frameworks, such as the United Nations Drugs Control Programme (UNDCP) has been fruitful. At Thailand's initiation, the quadrilateral cooperation on the prevention and suppression of the production and trafficking of drugs between China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand is advancing, particularly in the combat against the spread of methamphetamine. The Leaders of the four countries will meet at an appropriate time to give the much needed political impetus at the highest level.

The issue of HIV/AIDS is another major transnational threat to human security. Thailand has forged partnership with its neighbouring countries, particularly the Greater Mekong Sub-region, as well as a partnership with related UN agencies and with the Human Security Network members to tackle this global epidemic. At the 15th International Conference on HIV/AIDS to be hosted by Thailand in 2004, we hope to share our experiences in addressing the multifaceted aspects of HIV/AIDS, namely prevention, treatment, care and support as well as research and development.

United Arab Emirates
H.E. Mr. Rashid Abdullah Al-Noaimi, Minister For Foreign Affairs
20 September 2002

In addition to civil and regional wars, more than half of the world's population suffers from poverty, famine, epidemics and, fatal diseases. There are countries occupying other

people's lands, terrorism, organized crime, and illegal drug trafficking. This creates tension and instability in many regions of the world, which endangers the international peace and security.

As international society faces more .challenges, we become more aware of the importance of compliance to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respect to the sovereignty of the international Law in solving, by peaceful means, disputes and conflicts, and instances of occupation.

In this age of globalization and rapid development in information.. and communication technology, the world has become a small village. The fates of the nations of the world have become intertwined more than any time in history. Thus the problems and sufferings of other peoples cannot be ignored because of the geographical distance or cultural differences; the current events in the world prove, without doubt, that the outcomes of conflicts and wars, the problems of poverty, drugs abuse and diseases, extend beyond their geographical borders, reaching to what were safe regions and threaten their stability. For that reason, the establishment of international peace and security is the joint responsibility of all governments and nations as well as their organizations and civil societies. The need for a global partnership, working under the umbrella of the United Nations, to create a comprehensive strategy that takes into consideration international law, human values and people's needs and suffering, can never be overestimated.

Uruguay
H.E. Dr. Didier OPERTTI
Minister for Foreign Affairs
September 17, 2002

It is therefore, as member of Mercosur that Uruguay has opted a decade ago for an ambitious policy of trade liberalization characterized by the principle of transparency, and hopes that other trading blocks in the developed world would apply the same principles and avoid the duplicity inherent in advocating the need to promote free trade on the one hand while protecting their own markets with discriminatory practices on the other. We therefore ask for reciprocity from our trading partners.

We must nor forget that this is the reason why we are now facing increasing difficulty in achieving our development goals. Like in many other countries in every region of the world, Uruguay is now experiencing an economic and financial crisis, which was completely unavoidable as a result of the severe impact of regional and extra-regional external factors.

This responds to our increasing dependency on our foreign trade, to the fall of the international prices of our products which in, their turn become non competitive due to the implementation of subsidies and other protectionist measures applied by developed countries as well as by the fast spread of the crisis in the financial systems of the main exporting markets.

To this must be added another tragic irony. Our export products cannot compete with similar goods from other countries because of their higher cost, resulting from the fact that Uruguay fulfils all of its international obligations in the labour and social fields, particularly with regard to child labour, minimum wages, social benefits and work conditions. Nevertheless, the developed countries on the one hand preach respect for human rights and the strengthening of social security, while on the other hand they purchase products that are produced at lower cost in violation of international obligations.

The phenomenon of globalization, which has developed thus far without an adequate framework of operation, has been the cause of many of these problems. We keep believing that it is within this Organization that we must continue to explore ways which lead to a political solution to the main problems that we face in common. On the one hand, the United Nations is the natural body to manage the impacts of globalization.

* This compilation does not include statements in Arabic or Spanish. Please check back for updates.