Eritrea, 2011

Allow me begin by

congratulating the President of the General Assembly

and his country, Qatar, on his election to preside over

the Assembly at this session, and by thanking

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his leadership and

achievements.

We gather at the sixty-sixth session of the

General Assembly at an important juncture in the

history of the world. We meet at a time of exciting

possibilities and opportunities for the betterment of

hundreds of millions of people. Yet, these favourable

prospects must be weighed against the profound

dangers and sense of anxiety that currently grip our

world. The persistent economic and financial crisis,

massive unemployment, growing inequality between

and within nations, spiralling levels of debt, recurrent

famines and starvation, high levels of mortality from

easily preventable diseases and an increasingly fragile

environment are wreaking havoc on the lives of people

and the future of nations. Despite the end of the Cold

War and the premature declaration of the emergence of

a new world order, wars and military interventions

continue — almost invariably failing to resolve, and

further complicating, the problems they set out to

solve.

It is true that none of these problems are new, yet

there is no denying that the malaise seems much more

intractable today. Three years ago, the world was

infused by a renewed spirit of hope and possibility with

the historic election of President Barack Obama and

the freshness of his message of positive change.

However, in spite his best efforts, the strength of his

personality and his many talents, that hope has not

been realized. The reality is that the problems we face

are systemic, were accumulated over many years and

decades, and require systemic and structural change.

Effecting this real, positive and durable transformation

requires not only the effort of one leader and one

nation and its allies, but the concerted effort of all

nations. We look towards the emerging and

re-emerging Powers — China, India, Russia, Brazil

and others — to show more leadership and to shoulder

bigger responsibilities. We also believe that all nations,

whatever their size, can and should play an

increasingly bigger and effective role in the endeavour

to build a fair, just, equitable and sustainable world.

This year has seen stirring and courageous

initiatives taken by the people of many nations to effect

fundamental changes that would lead to a new and

dignified beginning for them and their countries. While

the epicentre of the movement has been in North Africa

and the Middle East, it is not limited to the Arab world

or to developing nations. In much of the developed

world, there is now the same sense of anger and

frustration, the same discontent with Governments that

have become beholden to a small minority with special

interests and the same yearning for decent jobs,

meaningful political participation and dignified lives.

These realities cannot, and should not, be denied.

Clearly, this is not the time for complacency or

arrogance. What is required today is a frank

acknowledgement of the stark global reality we face,

and the readiness to empower our peoples and our

youth and to work cooperatively for a secure and

brighter future for all.

As we ponder the future and take stock of the

sweeping changes that are under way, we cannot fail to

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underscore that the United Nations has already become

hopelessly outdated and risks becoming totally

irrelevant. We all profess agreement on the need to

transform the institutions and procedures of the United

Nations, but we remain paralysed, with no prospects

for early progress.

Eritrea firmly associates itself with those who

stress the urgency of real reform and believes that what

is required is not a mere tweaking of the system but a

comprehensive transformation of the institution. The

critical element of this transformation has to be the

strengthening of the authority and role of the General

Assembly. As long as this paramount body is deprived

of real decision-making powers, the United Nations

will remain unrepresentative of the nations of the

world, even if the size and composition of the Security

Council changes significantly. Similarly, there can be

no meaningful revitalization without overhauling the

methods of work and procedures of the United Nations,

respecting the rights of Member States and ensuring

transparency and accountability in all bodies of the

Organization.

Half a century has elapsed since the heyday of the

era of decolonization that led to the emergence of

independent African nations. In spite the hope and

enthusiasm of the early years and the achievements

registered since, the past five decades have been

largely disappointing. The trying times and the internal

and external challenges that caused them are certainly

not over, as Africa continues to struggle in a difficult

and complex international environment. Yet, without

exaggerating the possibilities or underestimating the

difficulties, it is clear that a number of African

countries are entering a period of political, economic

and social renewal. They are convinced that Africa has

the human and natural resources to succeed. It will not

shun international partnerships but will give primacy to

its own capabilities and to cooperation at the

continental and subregional levels. It is this perspective

that is spurring African countries to focus on the key

requirements of developing the continent’s

infrastructure and promoting trade and economic links

among themselves. Another key component is the

revitalization of the African Union and subregional

organizations.

At the subregional level, Eritrea is committed to

economic development and integration in the wider

Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions. We are convinced

that no country can succeed in a turbulent environment.

We will work for the revitalization of the

Intergovernmental Authority on Development and

strive to make it effective in promoting economic

development and integration.

We welcome an independent South Sudan and

will work with both the Sudan and South Sudan, with

whom we have long-standing ties, as they grapple with

their domestic situations and endeavour to build

cooperative relations.

On Somalia, it has now become abundantly clear

that there is a need for a new approach, as the current

one has exhausted itself and can only lead to further

complications. Given that the central objective remains

the reconstitution of Somalia and the rebuilding of

effective institutions, it is imperative to seriously

engage and bring into a Somali-owned political process

all stakeholders, including the Governments of

Somaliland and Puntland.

With regard to the Middle East, which is a key

item on the agenda of the current session of the

General Assembly, Eritrea reaffirms its long-standing

support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-

determination and an independent, sovereign State. It

also upholds the right of Israel to live in peace and

security within internationally recognized boundaries.

At the same time, Eritrea is genuinely concerned that

the current drive for United Nations membership for

Palestine does not become a symbolic battle bereft of

real substance. It is only prudent and relevant to recall

that with the exception of a few realistic voices, the

Oslo Accords were greeted with much acclaim and

that, almost two decades later, they have not led to

either Palestinian Statehood or peace between the

Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

Finally, I would be remiss in my duty if I did not

remind the United Nations of its responsibility to

uphold its Charter, international law and numerous

Security Council resolutions and take urgent action to

end Ethiopia’s occupation of sovereign Eritrean

territory. Coupled with the lifting of the illegal

sanctions on Eritrea, that would not only serve the

cause of justice, but it would enable the people of the

region to work together to further their collective

interests and consolidate Africa’s place in the world.