Dominica, 2012

On behalf of the

Government and people of the Commonwealth of

Dominica, I would like to congratulate Mr. Jeremić on

his election to the presidency of the General Assembly

at its sixty-seventh session and to wish him every

success. We also express our appreciation and gratitude

to his predecessor, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, for

the able manner in which he presided over the sixty-

sixth session.

The sixty-seventh session of the General

Assembly has convened at a time when we face myriad

challenges — the impact of climate change, civil

conflicts, hunger and starvation, poverty, HIV/AIDS and

chronic non-communicable diseases. Those challenges,

however, are equally matched by the tremendous

opportunities created by the rapid advancement in

science and technology and the unprecedented level of

international cooperation.

We therefore need the political will to harness

those opportunities for the benefit of our peoples.

That would necessarily require the transformation of

multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations,

including its organs and agencies, the World Bank and

the International Monetary Fund, to reflect equity and

inclusion. Those changes must be supported by a shift

in our systems of production and consumption and by a

new economic system, built on the principles of fairness

and differentiated treatment on the basis of the unique

challenges of countries, especially the vulnerability of

small island developing States (SIDS). I am confident

that, with such an approach, we will be able to overcome

those challenges in a functioning multilateral system.

The unsustainable consumption and production

systems that continue to deplete the world’s resources

and that simultaneously contribute to global warming

remain a major threat to the survival of those of us who

live close to the world’s oceans. The United Nations

Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) was

a commendable effort by the international community

to take stock of the human impact on the Earth’s

resources and to commit to reversing the present

trend. The outcome document, entitled “The future

we want” (resolution 66/288, annex), falls short of our

expectations. However, it remains a work in progress

and presents a useful platform for the ongoing discussion

of multilateral resolutions to the growing concern of

sustainable development. More important, the outcome document is indicative of what the international

community can achieve when collective energies are

harnessed to present an international response.

The Commonwealth of Dominica is pleased that

Rio+20 reaffirmed an international commitment to

support small island developing States. We especially

welcome the agreement to convene the third Global

Conference on the Sustainable Development of SIDS

in 2014 in the Pacific region. In fact, we are of the

view that the third Global Conference will provide an

opportunity for the implementation of the outcomes of

Rio+20, the Barbados Programme of Action and the

Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of

the Barbados Programme of Action.

As a small island developing State, Dominica is

committed to the fundamental principle of environmental

sustainability. That is clearly demonstrated by our

approach to sustainable development as the “Nature

Island”. The sustainable use of our natural resources

has contributed to our tourism product, while at the

same time blessing our citizens with the most beautiful

place on Earth to call home. Notwithstanding that, our

great vulnerability continues to put us at the mercy

of countries that promote and employ unsustainable

practices. The challenges include an international

economic system dominated by the strong and the

powerful that pays little or no regard to the vulnerable.

If multilateralism is to survive, we need to focus on

correcting that lopsided system, which is destined to

annihilate SIDS.

Dominica’s very vulnerability to the effects of

global warming underscores our commitment to a

multilateral approach aimed at combating climate

change. The impact of climate change continues to

manifest itself in a number of ways, resulting in greater

challenges to the survival of SIDS. The failure to date

to reach a legally binding outcome on climate change is

a cause of grave concern. While the debate continues,

the challenges to our islands increase.

We are encouraged, however, by the fact that the

recently concluded climate talks in Bangkok prepared

a fertile ground for the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change in Doha later this

year. Nevertheless, Dominica continues to stress the

importance of extending and amending the Kyoto

Protocol before it lapses. The timely creation of a road

map for a new legally binding document must be treated

as a matter of urgency. We look forward to the Doha

talks, of which we have great expectations.

One major contributor to climate change is the

consumption of fossil fuels for the production of

electricity. The importation of fossil fuels also has the

greatest impact on the economic vulnerability of many

small island developing States. Addressing energy

issues is therefore central to responding to the challenges

of climate change and sustainable development. Today,

there is still a significant portion of many remote and

rural island communities that has little or no access to

modern and affordable energy services.

The low-carbon economies in SIDS therefore

provide an opportunity to reduce greenhouse-gas

emissions, while decreasing dependence on imported

fossil fuels. By generating their own energy from

natural renewable sources, SIDS will be able to achieve

energy security. The savings realized from avoiding

the cost of importing fossil fuels could be used for

adaptation and developmental needs. For that and

other reasons, the SIDS Sustainable Energy Initiative,

known as SIDS DOCK, was instituted. The Initiative

currently provides a global platform for SIDS to pursue

their renewable energy ambitions by building capacity

and by providing technical support to member States.

The Governments of Denmark and Japan, the United

Nations Development Programme and the World Bank

continue to play a significant role in making energy

independence a reality for SIDS. The recent partnership

with the Clinton Foundation has given new hope to a

number of islands that are vigorously pursuing their

renewable energy aspirations.

Dominica has the honour of serving as Chair of

SIDS DOCK. My delegation, on its own behalf as well

as that of SIDS DOCK, fully endorses the Barbados

Declaration on Achieving Sustainable Energy for All

in Small Island Developing States, signed by ministers

and other heads of delegation of the Alliance of Small

Island States at the ministerial conference held in

Bridgetown in May. The commitments made and targets

set to increase the percentage of renewable energy and

increase energy efficiency in energy portfolios are

testimony to our region’s commitment to the Secretary-

General’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative. We

congratulate the Secretary-General on launching the

initiative, which SIDS DOCK joined and is committed

to actively supporting.

Dominica, the “Nature Island”, continues to pursue

the development of its geothermal resources. We are

pleased to announce that the recently concluded test-

drilling in the Roseau Valley has confirmed that our

geothermal resources have the potential to supply our

domestic needs and provide an exportable surplus. That

will allow us to move away from the importation of fossil

fuel for the generation of electricity within the next five

years, while also reducing the cost of electricity for our

people. At the same time, the development of a power

plant for export to the French territories of Guadeloupe

and Martinique will provide a source of revenue for

the island. Negotiations are ongoing and expected

to conclude by the end of 2012. Work is expected to

commence on the first power plant in the first quarter

of 2013. Dominica’s energy initiative has the potential

to transform its economy and to improve the quality

of life of its people. The Government of Dominica, as

trustee of the island’s resources on behalf of its people,

is therefore ensuring that it manages that process

responsibly.

We have sought and are receiving assistance from

some of the most reputable consultants in the world. The

support of the Clinton Climate Initiative has allowed us to

navigate through the complex challenges of the project.

We therefore wish to express our gratitude to President

Bill Clinton for his continued support in that initiative.

We anticipate that, by 2017, all of our electricity needs

will be met by a combination of sources, namely, hydro

and geothermal. By 2020 we expect to be exporting

electricity to our neighbouring islands via submarine

cables. That, coupled with our sustainable development

practices, means that Dominica will go beyond carbon

neutrality to being carbon-negative by the year 2020.

Like Dominica, many SIDS are pursuing national

renewable energy initiatives, and more than 20 SIDS

have made pledges under the Sustainable Energy for

All initiative. However, unsustainable debt and the

lack of technology make it impossible for them to

achieve their goals. We therefore invite other developed

countries and the international community to join the

Governments of Denmark and Japan and the Clinton

Climate Initiative in the SIDS DOCK partnership,

and the Government of Norway in its Energy for All

initiative, in providing critical support to SIDS.

The global community should heed the prolonged,

and in some cases recent, cries of peoples around the

world. The response should not be selective or be based

on narrow national interests. Injustice anywhere and in

any form should not be tolerated. The so-called Arab

Spring has been one expression of people’s discontent.

The international community must support the wishes

of people as they struggle to create their own democratic

systems, driven by their aspirations.

The recent spate of attacks on United States

missions and personnel, or attacks on the diplomatic

facilities of any country, does nothing to advance the

causes of those who may be marginalized or who feel

offended by other democratic systems. Regardless of

what may have led to the protests, the Commonwealth

of Dominica condemns those unjustified attacks, which

resulted in the unfortunate loss of life of United States

Ambassador Christopher Stevens and his colleagues.

While we are heartened by the attention that has

been given to the recent outcries from some corners

of the globe, we remain concerned that in our part of

the world the cries of people who have been suffering

for decades have aroused less sympathy. The suffering

of our brothers and sisters in the Republic of Haiti

persists, much to the concern of Dominica and the

Caribbean Community (CARICOM). We are grateful to

those countries that have responded and to others that

have supported and continue to support the rebuilding

efforts in Haiti. However, we are still far from assisting

the people of Haiti to reach a state of normalcy where

they can enjoy the basic necessities of life. We therefore

call upon the international community to heed the cry

of Haiti and to provide support in the rebuilding efforts.

The Caribbean region also continues to witness the

unheeded call for the discontinuation of the economic,

financial and trade embargo on our brothers and sisters

in the Republic of Cuba. We call upon the Government

of the United States to allow the people of Cuba to be

fully integrated into the global trading system, thereby

enabling them to improve their lives and allowing the

world to benefit from their tremendous contributions,

especially in the area of science and technology.

The international trade, transfer and use of

conventional arms, weapons, munitions and ammunition

continue to threaten international peace and security.

Dominica, like its sister nations in CARICOM, is not

immune to that debilitating phenomenon. Our region

continues to be affected by an increase in gangs

and violent criminal activities born out of the trade

and transfer of illicit arms and drugs throughout the

Caribbean region, from North to South America. We

are therefore perturbed that, despite four weeks of rigorous deliberations and intense negotiations, the

United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty

did not result in the finalization of the treaty. However,

like the rest of our CARICOM colleagues, we believe

that the 26 July text from the Chair of the Conference

provides a blueprint for a possible final document.

As leaders, the task is now ours to finalize a legally

binding document in the interests of the protection of

our people.Dominica remains optimistic that that can

be achieved during the current session of the General

Assembly, and we reaffirm our commitment to the

realization of a robust arms trade treaty.

Dominica would like to take this opportunity

to applaud the role and efforts of the United Nations

in combating the proliferation of small arms and

light weapons in the global community. The long-

term socioeconomic development of many nations,

particularly SIDS such as Dominica, is severely

compromised because of the proliferation of small

arms and light weapons in our region. Associated with

that illicit trade is the trafficking of narcotics through

the Caribbean region, from South to North America,

which has presented new challenges to the maintenance

of peace and security in our region. It underscores

the urgent need for a legally binding international

instrument that addresses the control and monitoring

of the illicit trade in small arms among States and

non-State actors.

In conclusion, Dominica remains committed

to collaborating with the United Nations and all its

agencies, as well as with all Member States, to strengthen

the mission of this noble body that, notwithstanding

its imperfections, is critical to maintaining world

peace and security. We reaffirm our confidence in the

United Nations system as the ultimate negotiating and

deliberative body for addressing the major challenges

confronting the world.

May we all rise to the occasion and resolve to bring

peace, security and prosperity to every corner of the

globe.

Before I finish, Sir, I hope that, given that I am the

last speaker, you will allow me the latitude to address

a word of thanks to the interpreters and the rest of the

United Nations staff for their hard work over the past

week. We know that their task has not been easy, and

we appreciate their contribution.

May God bless the United Nations. May God bless

us all.