Algeria, 2009

Allow

me first to express the pleasure of the Algerian

delegation in seeing an illustrious son of a

neighbouring and brother country presiding over our

work. I would like to assure you of Algeria’s sincere

and active support in the fulfilment of your mandate. I

would also like to pay heartfelt homage to your

predecessor, Father d’Escoto, for the skill he has

demonstrated, his moral probity and his full

commitment to multilateralism, based on the principles

and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.

I would also like to express our gratitude to

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his wise and

enlightened conduct of the work of the Organization

and the initiatives he consistently deploys to reinforce

the role of the United Nations and affirm its moral

authority.

This year, once again, the global economic crisis

is at the heart of the general debate of the session. The

world has had time to measure the scope and gravity of

this crisis. It is not yet time to take stock, since we

know now that this is neither a short-term economic

crisis nor the bursting of a bubble such as the capitalist

system has seen in the past. The world has realized that

the crisis is that of a system governed by the rules of

globalization, just as it has had to face the fact that any

serious and lasting solution to this crisis will come

about through courageous and concerted decisions.

Such decisions must be aimed at promoting global

economic governance based on standards of

responsibility, equity, solidarity and progress:

governance that will be aimed at putting an end to

financial and commercial practices that are opaque,

iniquitous and unfair, and imposed on the rest of the

world in the name of free trade and its dubious

efficiency.

The lack of coherence and harmony in the

approach to the crisis is apparent from, inter alia, the

unfair treatment meted out to developing countries.

Why should the nations of the southern hemisphere be

forced to bear the burden of a crisis they are not

responsible for? Multilateral institutions, also

undermined by contradictions and a lack of coherence,

are unable to overcome impasses in negotiations on

vital questions that have a direct impact on our

populations.

This is the case, for instance, with the

negotiations on a treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol

on climate change. Here is an area where displaying a

spirit of compromise and solidarity is clearly in the

interest of every country. And yet the positions of

developed countries continue to be motivated by

narrow national interests while the very survival of

mankind is at stake.

It is also the case with the fundamental aims of

non-proliferation and disarmament, which remain

hostage to political double standards, discriminatory

practices and non-compliance with commitments made,

particularly on the part of certain nuclear Powers.

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These practices have not spared the multilateral

negotiation frameworks, which nonetheless enjoy

legitimacy and the expertise necessary to realize

progress on the path to reinforcing the goals of

disarmament and non-proliferation. It is also the case

in the fight against impunity and violations of human

rights and international humanitarian law, which raises

the issue of exploitation of these noble causes for

political ends.

The question of human rights is addressed with a

selective approach, which casts suspicion even on

initiatives based on a sincere desire to ensure respect

for human dignity. This, too, is the case with

international cooperation in the struggle against

terrorism. The Algerian delegation believes that the

importance of the juridical weapon would be enhanced

by the adoption of the long-awaited global convention.

It is also convinced that constant adaptation of

approach is necessary in responding to this major

threat.

The African Union has undertaken not to pay

ransom to those who take hostages, and we support its

appeal to the United Nations to make this a universal

policy as rapidly as possible, given the threat that this

phenomenon poses to the security of our peoples and

the stability of our countries.

We hope that this Organization will be able to

realize substantial achievements in the area of reform,

whether in revitalizing the General Assembly,

reshaping the Security Council or strengthening the

role of the Economic and Social Council. Obviously, a

revitalized General Assembly, with a strengthened

mandate, will be better able to reach consensus on the

reform of the Security Council — a Security Council

that would reflect the legitimate aspirations of

developing countries, and those of Africa in particular,

with equitable representation, along with the quest for

new working methods more in line with the demands

of our times.

Algeria’s commitment to a policy of good

neighbourliness is demonstrated in particular through

the numerous initiatives and sincere efforts we have

deployed in partnership with our neighbours. We are

firmly convinced that preservation of peace, promotion

of development and respect for people’s rights are a

prerequisite for building a peaceful, united and

prosperous Arab Maghreb that is stable and fully

integrated.

Everyone knows the importance we attach to the

right of peoples to self-determination and the effort

that we have put into arriving at a just and lasting

solution to the conflict in Western Sahara. The United

Nations can always count on Algeria’s complete and

sincere support in every initiative aimed at settling this

dispute in accordance with the responsibilities that the

Organization has taken upon itself and in line with the

Charter of the United Nations.

We are fully committed to the cause of the

Palestinian people, and believe that current

developments pose a grave threat to peace and security

throughout the Middle East. The region will never

regain peace and stability without a just and lasting

settlement of the Palestinian problem, which lies at the

core of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is now obvious to

all that a satisfactory solution is impossible unless

credible and substantial pressure is applied to the

Israeli occupying forces with a view to compelling

them to put an end to their policies of provocation and

aggression against the Palestinian people, to keep their

promises and to respond favourably to all Arab peace

initiatives.

Algeria participates actively in the efforts of the

African countries to put an end to any conflict that

hampers their development and to achieve the political

and economic integration of the entire continent.

Establishment of the African Union has created a

respected and credible partner whose collaboration

with the United Nations has made possible visible

progress, especially through the significant reduction

of hotspots of tension on our continent.

I will end by reiterating our wish that the conduct

of our international affairs will be enhanced by the

effective and sincere commitment of the international

community to the task of renewing and reinforcing the

multilateral system.