Dominican Republic, 2003

The international community is

currently going through a period of reflection and self-

definition. The great transformations that humanity

experienced during the course of the previous decade,

as well as current challenges, demand greater

responsibility on the part of our nations in playing an

active role in the search for urgent solutions to the

problems that are affecting us. This new session of the

General Assembly presents us with an excellent

opportunity to achieve that goal.

Today, the Dominican Republic reaffirms its

commitment to peace, the defence of human rights,

security, sustainable development and the

strengthening of democracy — pillars of indisputable

importance in safeguarding international peace and

stability.

The issue of the reform of the United Nations has

been on our agenda for a long time. Events of recent

years make it clear that this task must be undertaken as

a matter of priority. The reform the Security Council is

particularly urgent. Ever since the approval of

resolution 47/62 of 11 December 1992, we have been

engaged in an ongoing debate on the various reform

proposals. Now, however, it is time to act to restructure

the Council so as to make it more representative and

equitable, as well as more transparent in its decision-

making, thereby strengthening its legitimacy as the

guarantor of international peace and security.

Terrorism has emerged as an ongoing threat to

humanity. Uncertainty and pain have characterized the

beginning of the twenty-first century. Our nations have

the challenge of fighting together, at a global level,

against the proliferation of weapons of mass

destruction and in favour of equitable development and

free societies. Security problems call for decisive

action against international terrorism, organized crime

and the illegal trade in arms and drugs.

The Millennium Summit established as one of its

main goals the reduction of poverty by 50 per cent by

2015. Notwithstanding some progress in the

achievement of those goals, poverty remains a terrible

scourge. The Dominican Government, which considers

that issue to be one of great importance, has created a

Social Cabinet to act as a coordinating mechanism for

all governmental institutions for social welfare, and is

helping to ensure that both national and international

resources are distributed equitably and allocated to

regions that require social investment.

All countries must join efforts, accepting

responsibilities, both shared and separate, to guarantee

that growth and poverty do not go together and that, in

meeting the needs of the present generation, we do not

cause the destruction of future generations’ capacity to

meet their own needs.

The positive outcome of the Fourth Ministerial

Conference of the World Trade Organization, held in

Doha, Qatar, in November 2001, and of the

International Conference on Financing for

Development held in Monterrey, Mexico, in March

2002, was a key element for achieving millennium

development goals. The Doha Development Agenda

and the Monterrey Consensus provided a framework to

facilitate market access, improve multilateral

regulations for channelling globalization and increase

financial aid for development.

However, we must mention what happened at the

Fifth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade

Organization (WTO) recently held in Cancún, Mexico.

Although agreement was not reached because of

fundamental differences in the positions regarding

essential world trade issues, we are convinced that this

will not affect the multilateral system of negotiations.

On the contrary, some member states maintain that this

impasse may even be necessary to shape more

equitable international agreements at the heart of the

WTO. What is an important issue is not to lose the

development perspective within the work programme

of the WTO, as set in the Doha Development Agenda,

because that agenda includes the aspirations of millions

of people around the world, whose hope for progress

lies in the opportunities of the global economy.

The position of the Dominican Government with

regard to the Middle East conflict is based primarily on

unconditional adherence to the norms and principles of

international law, particularly those related to the

peaceful solution of disputes; condemning the use of

force and terrorism in all its forms; complying in good

faith with international treaties; and on strict

observance of resolutions of the United Nations and its

deliberative bodies.

Devoted to these principles, the Dominican

Republic has, in response to the humanitarian appeals

17

of the Security Council, participated in the efforts to

rebuild Iraq, in order to contribute to the development

of a secure and stable environment in which the

sovereignty of the Iraqi people may be restored.

Similarly, our country supports the peace process

outlined in the road map submitted by the United States

of America and endorsed by the Russian Federation,

the United Nations and the European Union. We

understand that a cessation of violence cannot be

postponed, along with the historic pledges of all parties

to make sacrifices to promote a lasting solution to the

conflict and peaceful coexistence.

Drawing up sustainable development policies

calls for dealing with problems before they emerge.

This implies making headway in achieving the

millennium development goals, particularly on crucial

issues such as energy and protection of the

environment. In this respect, our nation reiterates its

rejection of the international maritime transport of

radioactive and toxic waste, a position which has been

expressed in other international forums. This issue is

linked to international security.

The importance of guaranteeing women equal

rights and equity, and promoting their increased

political participation, has been a continuous concern

of the heads of State in various international forums.

The International Research and Training Institute for

the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), the only

institution within the United Nations system dedicated

exclusively to that end, has its headquarters in Santo

Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic. The

Dominican Government calls upon Member States to

continue supporting the work of INSTRAW in the

Dominican Republic by providing contributions, to the

extent that they can.

Our country commends the culture of peace, and

is making efforts to ensure that at the primary level

children are taught about promoting mutual

understanding and learn about civics and human rights.

Similarly, we believe that a solid and permanent

democracy is an achievable goal. The challenges here

are clear: growing democracy, more respect for civic

rights, freedom of the press; freedom of expression of

political parties and public opinion; dignity and

transparency of all leaders and the moral legitimacy of

all.

Deeply concerned about the spread of HIV/AIDS

in our nation, the Government has made great efforts to

comply with the commitments entered into in the

Declaration on fighting this terrible disease. We call for

increased international cooperation and efforts to

guarantee the availability of drugs at affordable prices,

based on the Doha Declaration on intellectual property

and the right to health.

The Dominican Republic salutes with optimism

the role played by the United Nations and the

Organization of American States (OAS) in efforts to

develop humanitarian aid programmes for the Haitian

people. It is imperative to stress here the need for

greater support from the international community for

our neighbouring republic of Haiti and its neglected

population.

Although we are aware that this issue has been

excluded from the agenda of the current session , we

wish to state our support for the aspirations of the

Republic of China, Taiwan, to rejoin this Organization,

of which it was a Member for many years. Our position

is in line with the universal principles contained in the

Charter, the basis of the rules of international law and

the historical tradition of friendly relations with

Taiwan.

On behalf of the Dominican Government, Sir,

may I congratulate you on your election as President,

confident that your conduct of this session will be

successful, beneficial for the international community

and a source of pride to your country, Saint Lucia, and

thus to our Caribbean community.

I also wish to express the Dominican

Government’s rejection of the barbaric act perpetrated

against the United Nations Mission in Baghdad on 19

August, and to reiterate to the families of Mr. Sergio

Vieira de Mello and of the other deceased colleagues

our most heartfelt condolences.

We are all aware of the great challenges

confronting humanity. Our future depends on the

actions we take now. We have the opportunity to meet

the expectations of the nations of the world. Let us take

up this challenge with all due responsibility.