ウィスパリング同時通訳研究会コミュのHage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia

STATEMENT
BY
HIS EXCELLENCY DR. HAGE G. GEINGOB,
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
GENERAL DEBATE OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Your Excellency, Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th Session of the United
Nations General Assembly,
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Your Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United
Nations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mr. President,
I wish to extend warm congratulations to you and the people of the
Republic of Turkey, on your election as President of the 75th session of the
General Assembly. I assure you of Namibia’s support and cooperation
during your tenure as President of the General Assembly. I express great
appreciation to your predecessor, His Excellency, Professor Tijjani
Muhammad-Bande, son of Africa, for his outstanding stewardship of the
work of our organisation, particularly during a very difficult and trying
period. I am also privilidged to express my admiration and appreciation
for the performance of our Secretary General during this challenging
period the world is facing.
The 75th Anniversary’s theme - “The future we want, the United Nations
we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism –
confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action” reminds us of
our shared humanity and the reality of an interconnected world. As we
face the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effects, we should
reaffirm our collective commitment to cooperate in a world governed by
international law and a multilateral system in which no one should feel
left out.
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the trajectories of our socioeconomic livelihoods, and our interactions with one another. While not
perfect, multilateralism and rules-based order are essential tools in
strengthening governance, protecting civil liberties and the fundamental
rights of the people we serve in our respective countries. An effective,
rules-based multilateral system is our insurance policy against existential
threats such as wars, nuclear proliferation, pandemics and climate
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change. It is therefore of utmost importance that we continue to defend
multilateralism at all cost.
Mr. President,
The Covid-19 pandemic has plunged the world into an acute health and
economic crisis, the severity of which has not been seen in a century. It
has disproportionately affected some countries more than others,
exposing and exacerbating vulnerabilities and inequalities within and
among countries. The adverse socio-economic effects of the COVID-19
pandemic, compounding existing challenges such as high debt burdens,
reduced fiscal revenues, capital outflows, and lack of adequate and
sufficient access to financial markets, does not bode well for the future of
developing countries. This is due to the fact that the unfolding crisis could
halt or reverse gains in poverty eradication, food security and inequality.
It is why this health emergency should lead to an even deeper sense of
urgency and impactful multilateral solidarity. The world needs it more
than ever before.
In this respect, we commend the UN Secretary-General, H.E Antonio
Guterres, for the launch of the US$2 billion multi-partner Trust Fund for
COVID-19 Response and Recovery. While we also acknowledge the debt
relief initiatives announced by the IMF, the World Bank and the G20, I
encourage all our partners to facilitate their emergency lending
mechanisms and accelerate technical support to even so-called Higher
Middle Income Countries such as Namibia. This is vital to ensure access
to social protection and basic services, sustainable economic activity, and
protection of jobs and incomes.
Mr. President,
Namibia commends the World Health Organisation for all its targeted
efforts in fighting COVID-19, including the global development of a
vaccine. This vaccine, once developed, should become a global public
good, accessible to all, freely and equitably. Namibia stands ready to
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partner in such development for the benefit of our citizens and the world
at large.
Environmental degradation is a persistent and growing problem and, quite
literally, a deadly threat to the security of our peoples. The COVID-19
pandemic has diverted resources from Climate Change and related
mitigation efforts. The people of Namibia continue to suffer major
environmental disasters such as floods, drought and water scarcity. We
therefore should ensure that we rededicate ourselves to commitments of
the Paris Agreement. As a member of the High Level Panel for a
Sustainable Ocean Economy, Namibia reaffirms its commitment towards
tackling the great challenges that the world’s oceans face, ranging from
global warming, ocean acidification, marine pollution, including plastic
pollution, and unsustainable exploitation of its living marine resources.
We commend the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, Her
Excellency Elna Solberg, for developing this outstanding initiative and look
forward to working with Norway and the other members of the Panel, to
address these challenges.
Mr. President,
When I addressed this august Assembly one year ago, as a member of the
African Union Committee of 10 on the Reform of the United Nations
Security Council, I expressed my desire to see the marking of the 75th
anniversary of the United Nations as an opportunity to conclude the
reform of the United Nations Security Council. Namibia reiterates that the
African continent wishes to see a reformed Council, which is reflective of
its Common African Position as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the
Sirte Declaration. I take this opportunity to welcome and thank those
who have expressed support for the Common African Position. As we
prepare to mark the 20th anniversary of resolution 1325 on Women, Peace
and Security – a resolution which was adopted under the Namibian
Presidency of the Security Council in October 2000 – we must celebrate
the achievements thus far, while also recognizing that many challenges
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still remain. I look forward to the opening of the International Women’s
Peace Centre in Namibia next month. The Peace Centre is intended to
become an institute of excellence for mediation and conflict prevention to
support and ensure that women are given adequate tools to contribute to
humanity’s future.
Mr. President,
The 17 interconnected Sustainable Development Goals and their promise
to leave no one behind by 2030, ring hollow for the peoples of Palestine
and Western Sahara, who still remain under occupation. They are left
behind. As a nation that has experienced the outpouring of international
solidarity during the dark days of our struggle for independence, we wish
to express our continued support for the right to self-determination and
freedom of the peoples of Palestine and of Western Sahara. We also hope
that the search for the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Western
Sahara will be concluded very soon. Furthermore, we express our support
for a settlement that will bring a just, lasting and comprehensive peace
between Israelis and Palestinians. Despite the political and diplomatic
setbacks, in particular continued threats of annexation of Palestinian
territory, we remain hopeful for a fair and comprehensive peace solution
that will guarantee the rights of all Palestinian peoples and ensure their
return to their homes, while safeguarding peace and security to the Israeli
people as well.
As the world combats the COVID-19 pandemic, some Member States face
more obstacles in combating this virus than others, including those which
have sanctions imposed on them. In support of the pursuit of economic
development, unity and prosperity for the sister country of Zimbabwe, I
once again call on the lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. President
Emmerson Mnangagwa has been pursuing reforms that will enable the
people of Zimbabwe to get on a path of sustainable development and
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peace. Therefore, the continued sanctions undermine these efforts to
develop the people of Zimbabwe.
Mr. President,
Namibia reiterates her deep concern over the continuation of the
extraterritorial economic, financial and commercial embargo imposed on
the people of Cuba. We continue to express our support for the
Government and people of Cuba and call for the unconditional lifting of
the embargo, and for respect of the sovereignty of Cuba. In the spirit of
creating a more just, peaceful and caring world in which we foster
peaceful and harmonious coexistence amongst all nations, Namibia looks
forward to the day when relations between the United States of America
and Cuba will be restored fully.
For the past 75 years, the United Nations has distinguished itself as a
champion for equality and unity. At this critical time, when we are faced
with a multitude of challenges that threaten our future, we look upon this
great organisation to once again, provide the definitive answers to our
problems. Therefore, let us embrace one another and pull together in the
spirit of multilateralism, in the interest of defeating Covid-19, in the
interest of achieving the SDGs and in the interest of safeguarding global
peace and the human dignity of every man, woman and child in the world.
I thank you
https://op.gov.na/documents/84084/1162316/President+Hage+G.+Geingob+Address+to+the+UNGA75+General+Debate%2C+23+September+2020.pdf/5c565659-2b6d-471e-920f-4a8f98cb8a7a