Brunei, 2014

Allow me to join earlier speakers in offering my

congratulations to Mr. Sam Kutesa on his election as

President of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth

session. My thanks also go to our outgoing President,

Mr. John Ashe, for his excellent work over the past

year, especially his contribution to the discussions on

the post-2015 development agenda. I offer my profound

appreciation to the many United Nations officials,

peacekeepers and volunteers in the field who often

work in the most difficult conditions and put their lives

at risk.

It is also fitting to offer our thanks and gratitude

to the Secretary-General and his team for tirelessly

promoting the cause of this world body, especially with

respect to urgent matters affecting the livelihoods and

security of our peoples. I also deeply appreciate his

personal support at the fifth summit of the Association

of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United

Nations held in Brunei Darussalam last year.

Today is a special occasion for me personally and

for Brunei Darussalam as a nation. It marks the thirtieth

anniversary of our membership in the Organization.

Looking back, the world then was ideologically divided.

Now we are linked by globalization and interdependence,

searching for a united approach to addressing the many

challenges faced by the human race. As we confront old

and new problems, I believe the United Nations is best

placed to address them collectively. That is its strength,

a fact that is evident today as we strive to realize the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

We are fast approaching the deadline of the MDGs,

and we in Brunei Darussalam are pleased to see that

there is concerted global commitment and consensus

with respect to eradicating extreme poverty and

further promoting peace and sustainable development.

Brunei Damssalam actively contributes to regional

and international efforts in the areas of training and

capacity-building through the Initiative for ASEAN

Integration and through collaboration with the United

States in an English enrichment programme for

ASEAN. Similar undertakings have also been carried

out through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical

Cooperation.

The work of the United Nations and its relevant

stakeholders in leading the way forward beyond 2015

is indeed laudable. I am encouraged by the fact that we

have accomplished a great deal in the current initiative.

We have also learned many valuable lessons that will

help carry us through our journey in the coming decades.

It is reassuring to know that extensive discussions

and wide-ranging consultations have been conducted

to shape a universal framework for delivering and

implementing a transformative post-2015 development

agenda. I therefore welcome the new development

agenda and its emphasis on the importance of a human

development process that is inclusive, people-centred

and sustainable.

Those elements are also integral to Brunei

Darussalam’s National Vision 2035, which is dedicated

to improving the welfare of our people and ensuring

a high quality of life. I am also pleased that there is

unanimous agreement on the importance of protecting

the environment. In that regard, I greatly value the

convening of the United Nations climate summit to

galvanize support for addressing the impact of climate

change and in ensuring a dynamic and sustainable post-

2015 development agenda.

However, the full realization of our noble

expressions for the near future and the decades to come

faces many obstacles. The international and regional

situation continues to be threatened by instability,

injustices, social and economic inequalities and

increasingly frequent occurrences of natural disasters.

While there is relative peace and stability in the world,

developments over the past year have reminded us

of how complex security issues can cause turmoil

and instability that threaten progress in long-term

development. We are gravely concerned with security

developments in many parts of the world. Further

escalation of conflicts can weaken the international

community’s resolve and ability to work together to

achieve our worldwide initiatives.

For its part, Brunei Darussalam has participated

in United Nations peacekeeping, specifically in the

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and other

international peace monitoring missions, such as our

work in the southern Philippines. We remain committed

to such endeavours.

The overall outlook is further complicated by

challenges that are global in nature, ranging from the

impact of climate change, extremism and terrorism

to the serious repercussions of pandemic diseases.

Brunei Darussalam stands united with the international

community in combating terrorism in all its forms

and in rejecting extremism. We support all regional

and international efforts to counter terrorism, and we

will continue to participate in global initiatives such as

interfaith dialogues and dialogues among civilizations

designed to promote understanding, tolerance and

respect among world communities.

I call on every nation to take concerted action in

working to ensure that the rapid pace of globalization

and interconnectedness brings wide-ranging benefits

to all our peoples and communities. In securing the

positive aspects of globalization, as a community

of nations we must work closely together. We must

renew our approach to governance and strengthen

our cooperation, especially in resolving new issues

that require collective global action and unity of

purpose. I would like to emphasize the importance of

a comprehensive approach, especially when it comes

to ensuring peace and security. Our peoples’ quality

of life can be further enhanced only through inclusive

economic development and equitable social progress.

At the same time, all our efforts to develop our

economies should not work to the detriment of our

natural environment. These are areas that demand

renewed commitment, partnership and creativity on

the part of our global community. I would also like

to underscore the importance of strengthening our

capabilities in disaster management. The frequent

recurrence and growing intensity of natural disasters in

recent years have caused great destruction and hardship

to many communities around the world. Last year,

Brunei Darussalam hosted a humanitarian assistance

and disaster relief exercise for military personnel from

across the Asia-Pacific region, the first such event of

its kind under the auspices of the ASEAN Defence

Ministers Meeting Plus process. During the exercise, I

was very inspired as I witnessed the close cooperation

and unity shown by the diverse range of participants

from different nations, cultures and backgrounds, all

striving together to practise saving lives.

Such regional efforts are just a modest step. More

important, the fundamental principles of mutual respect

and trust, putting aside differences, upholding the rule

of law and justice and promoting cooperation should

serve as the basis for resolving conflicts, so that we

can all enjoy continued peace and stability. In the same

spirit, I also hope that we can overcome our differences

and move forward in further opening up global trade.

All our efforts to achieve the MDGs will be in

vain if, at the same time, we disregard our commitment

to pursuing peaceful means of settling disputes, as

enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The

escalation of disputes and threats to international peace

and security has resulted in appalling human tragedies

such as the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-

17 and the current dire situation in Gaza. Although the

prospects of all-out war seem remote today, instances

of worsening situations, skirmishes and brinkmanship

have shown us all too well how threats of conflict

and violence remain an obstacle to our long-term

aspirations for a better world. For Palestine, freedom

and justice are long overdue. The cycle of suffering

experienced by our Palestinian brothers and sisters is a

stark example of how little our development goals mean

if there is no peace or stability. The Palestinian people

must be granted their basic right to live in dignity and

enjoy economic development. We are encouraged by

the observance of the current ceasefire by the parties

involved, and I greatly appreciate the efforts of other

countries that have made that possible.

Looking to the future, I remain hopeful. I still

firmly believe that we need this Organization in

order to ensure that generations to come will enjoy a

secure and prosperous future. The world has changed

fundamentally since the adoption of the MDGs, and

I am confident that the United Nations will continue

to be a source of hope. It is important that all States

do everything they can to contribute positively to our

Organization.