Laos, 2008

First, let me express, on behalf of the

delegation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,

my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. d’Escoto

Brockmann, a veteran diplomat of Nicaragua, on his

election as President of the General Assembly at its

sixty-third session. I trust that, with him at the helm,

the work of the General Assembly is in good hands.

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is of the

belief that the United Nations remains an important

and pre-eminent forum for addressing issues related to

international cooperation for economic development,

peace and security, human rights and the rule of law,

based on dialogue, cooperation and consensus-building

amongst States. For over half a century, the United

Nations has played a crucial role in maintaining

international peace and security and in promoting the

socio-economic advancement of Member States,

especially developing countries.

Yet, as the world situation becomes ever more

complex and unpredictable, the United Nations

increasingly needs more robust and effective

institutions. In our opinion, United Nations reform

must be comprehensive, transparent, inclusive and

balanced. We must strengthen the role and authority of

the General Assembly and revitalize its work.

We must also reform the Security Council,

turning it into a more democratic and representative

organ comprising new permanent and non-permanent

members alike. No less important is the need to

substantially reinforce the development pillars of the

United Nations, which include the Department of

Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations

Conference on Trade and Development, the regional

commissions and the United Nations Development

Account, enabling them to better support developing

countries.

In that context, we commend Secretary-General

Ban Ki-moon’s reform efforts aimed at transforming

the United Nations into a more responsive, dynamic,

multifunctional and effective Organization. The

Secretary-General’s personal dedication to the cause of

peace, and his endeavours in search of solutions to the

three global crises of finance, fuel and food deserve

special recognition.

The current difficult and complex situation in the

field of disarmament continues to be a cause of

concern. We recognize the threat posed by the

continuing existence of nuclear weapons. It is hence

incumbent upon the nuclear-weapon States to honour

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their unequivocal commitment to work towards the

total elimination of nuclear weapons. Renewed efforts

are needed to resolve the impasse in achieving nuclear

disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects.

While globalization brings with it numerous

opportunities for economic development, the obstacles

that the world faces deserve significant attention.

Developing countries, in particular the most vulnerable

group of countries — the least developed countries

landlocked developing countries and small island

developing States — have taken important steps to

further integrate themselves into the global economy.

Nevertheless, those countries remain beleaguered by

basic infrastructure of poor quality, limited access to

markets, capital and new technology, and low supply of

finance and investment.

The sudden increase in oil and food prices has led

to a period of economic instability in many countries.

To combat that problem, we stress the need for the full

and effective implementation of the Rome Declaration

on World Food Security and the establishment of a

global food bank and an international food fund to

ensure long-term food security for developing

countries, particularly the most vulnerable among

them.

In addition, the great untapped potential of those

countries should be explored and exploited to the

maximum extent through increased investment and

technology transfer by developed countries and other

development partners for mutual benefit.

The goal of achieving peace and prosperity

remains the highest priority of the international

community, yet inter-State conflict, terrorism and

unlawful unilateral sanctions and interventions

continue to impede that goal. We are greatly distressed

by the persistent conflict that has plagued the lives of

the peoples of the Middle East for decades, particularly

of the Palestinian people, who have been fighting to

exercise their right to self-determination and

Statehood.

We are deeply saddened by the number of

casualties and the material damage inflicted upon the

nations of Iraq and Afghanistan. We remain troubled by

the embargo that has been imposed on the Republic of

Cuba by the Government of the United States of

America, an act that is clearly illegal and not

responsive to the legitimate interests of the peoples of

either nation. In that regard, the Lao People’s

Democratic Republic sincerely urges the parties

concerned in the aforementioned conflicts to seek ways

to peacefully resolve their differences. It is our fervent

hope that the peoples living in those conflict-affected

areas may enjoy peace and prosperity as swiftly as

possible.

Unlike most calamities, global warming affects

not only the livelihood of every being on the planet,

but also the course of human history. Climate change

will become all the more worrisome as it leads to many

other social and economic problems in addition to

those faced by our world today. That is why there is a

need for immediate global action to address climate

change in accordance with the principle of common but

differentiated responsibilities. In formulating policies

to confront climate change, we should promote the

integration of all three components of sustainable

development — economic development, social

development and environmental protection. In that

respect, we call for the full implementation of the Bali

Road Map.

As widely expressed at the high-level event on

the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the lack

of effective implementation of the internationally

agreed development goals, including the MDGs,

remains of deep concern. Therefore, the highest

priority should be given to securing the effective and

full implementation of the agreed goals and

commitments. In that context, we underscore the

urgency of addressing the special needs of least

developed and landlocked developing countries

through the full, timely and effective implementation

by all stakeholders of the Brussels Programme of

Action and the Almaty Programme of Action, as called

for in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document.

Landlocked developing countries face a unique

impediment in not having access to the sea.

International cooperation is crucial to the success of

the development goals of those countries. We therefore

would like to stress the significance of the upcoming

midterm review of the Almaty Programme of Action, to

be held on 2 and 3 October 2008 here in New York,

which should provide the international community with

the opportunity to assess progress made, lessons

learned and constraints encountered in the

implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action.

As a member country, the Lao People’s

Democratic Republic is gratified to witness the

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continuing stability resulting from strengthened and

enhanced integration of the Association of Southeast

Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is an important

contribution to the maintenance of peace and further

cooperation in the region and the world. A recent

momentous and milestone event was the signing of the

ASEAN Charter, which has transformed ASEAN into a

rule-based regional organization.

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic continues

to enjoy solid political stability and social order. Thus,

our socio-economic development has registered

significant achievements, as reflected in the high and

sustained growth of our gross domestic product.

Notwithstanding those achievements, the Lao People’s

Democratic Republic still faces impediments. Rising

oil prices, inflation and the global economic slowdown

all stand in the way of our path to economic prosperity.

This year, we have also experienced severe

flooding that has inflicted huge material losses

nationwide. Yet, in spite of all that, by improving the

quality of basic infrastructure and human resources and

cooperating with international partners, we are

determined to pursue our twin strategies of poverty

eradication and regional integration. At the current

pace, we hope to extricate our country from the

shackles of underdevelopment by the year 2020.

I cannot conclude without reaffirming that

development remains central and must come first if

peace and respect for human rights, which are

intertwined, are to be achieved. The Lao People’s

Democratic Republic reiterates its unshakable

commitment to continued full cooperation with the

international community in pursuit of a world free

from fear and want, and rooted in a new, just and

equitable order. Together, I am sure, we will be able to

reach new heights.