Namibia, 2011

I wish to congratulate the

President and his country, Qatar, on his election to the

presidency of the Assembly at this session. With his

wisdom and experience, I am confident that he will

successfully steer the proceedings of the Assembly. I

assure him of my delegation’s cooperation and support.

I also congratulate His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon

on his reappointment as Secretary-General.

I commend the President for choosing the role of

mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful

means as the theme for this debate. The peaceful

settlement of disputes, as provided for in Chapter VI of

the United Nations Charter, is an important principle

that the international community should uphold in

seeking solutions to conflicts throughout the world.

Our Government recognizes the legitimacy of

peaceful demands for democratic changes in sister

countries such as Tunisia and Egypt. However, we

believe that the demands for democratic change should

be locally driven. They should not be used as a pretext

to undermine the fundamental principle of sovereignty

and non-intervention in the internal affairs of

independent States.

We are concerned that all efforts by the African

Union to find a peaceful negotiated solution in Libya

were ignored and undermined. Never in the history of

the United Nations has the sanctity of the principle of

non-intervention been so compromised as we have

witnessed recently in Libya. The military intervention

by a foreign Power reminds Africa of the infamous

Berlin Conference of 1884, when Africa was carved up

by imperial Powers.

In the aftermath of the recent political changes in

some African countries, it is important to underscore

the need to promote genuine national reconciliation

and unity and to begin urgently to address the

challenges of poverty and unemployment, especially

among the youth of the world. Respect for justice,

fundamental human rights, the rule of law and good

governance should be preconditions for lasting peace.

Following successful negotiations, the Republic

of South Sudan attained its independence on 9 July

2011. This demonstrated the statesmanship and wisdom

of the leaders of the Sudan and the Republic of South

Sudan, who chose the path of peace and mediation. We

call on the two countries to resolve all outstanding

issues through peaceful means. I wish His Excellency

President Salva Kiir Mayardit success as he leads the

people of South Sudan in building a united and

prosperous nation.

Namibia calls for the immediate implementation

of the United Nations settlement plan and relevant

United Nations resolutions calling for the holding of a

free and fair referendum in Western Sahara.

With regard to Palestine, I reaffirm our full and

unequivocal support for the legitimate struggle of the

Palestinian people to achieve their inalienable right to

self-determination and national independence. Namibia

supports the admission of Palestine to the United

Nations as a full Member.

The overwhelming majority of the Member States

of the Assembly have for many years expressed serious

concern over the continuing economic, commercial and

financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba.

Namibia calls for the immediate and unconditional

lifting of this embargo.

Namibia welcomes the recent signing of the road

map by the Malagasy political stakeholders with the

facilitation of the Southern African Development

Community mediator. It paves the way for bringing an

end to the political crisis and returning Madagascar to

constitutional order and democratic rule. The United

Nations and the international community should

provide adequate financial support to that country and

become actively engaged in the ongoing mediation

efforts to ensure the full implementation of the road

map.

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The people of Somalia are faced with not only

political uncertainty but also a severe drought and

famine, which have resulted in a human catastrophe.

Namibia has joined the international community in

contributing food supplies to the people of Somalia as

part of the international effort to address the crisis.

The effects of climate change are real and are

acutely felt in every part of the globe. For the past

three consecutive years Namibia has experienced

devastating floods, which negatively impacted our

development plans. I take this opportunity to once

again thank members of the international community

who responded to our emergency appeal for assistance.

Now more than ever before, all Member States

should work towards the successful conclusion of the

seventeenth Conference of the Parties to the United

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

which will take place in Durban, South Africa, later

this year. This should set the tone for the United

Nations Conference on Sustainable Development,

Rio+20, to be held in Rio de Janeiro next year.

The reform of the United Nations system,

especially the Security Council, has been painfully

slow. I underscore Namibia’s firm conviction that a

reformed Security Council should be democratic,

representative and transparent in its working methods.

That is consistent with the African common position. It

is incumbent on all Member States to work together to

strengthen the Organization in order to guarantee

international peace and security and to advance

sustainable economic and social development for a

fairer and more just world for all.