Namibia, 2012

I extend warm congratulations

to Mr. Jeremić and his country, Serbia, on his election

as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-

seventh session. My delegation is confident that, under

his leadership, this session will address all burning

issues on its agenda. I assure him of my delegation’s

cooperation and support. I also wish to thank his

predecessor for presiding over the General Assembly at

its sixty-sixth session. Similarly, I wish to congratulate

His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon on assuming his

second mandate as Secretary-General at the beginning

of this year.

The unresolved conflicts around the world demand

commitment and resolve from us all in order to find

durable solutions. I therefore commend the President

for choosing the theme for the debate at this session,

namely, “Adjustment or settlement of international

disputes or situations by peaceful means”. Namibia

firmly believes that, if we all dedicate ourselves to

finding lasting solutions to conflicts by peaceful

means, our collective efforts will be successful. There

is no better way to achieve peace than by upholding the

cardinal principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes,

as provided for under Chapter VI of the United Nations

Charter.

In that regard, we should renew the original

commitment to peace and progress as essential values

of the United Nations. Namibia believes that respect for

the sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity and

independence constitute the pillars of international law

and, indeed, the bedrock of peaceful relations among

nations. The violation of any of those principles poses a

serious threat to international peace and security.

Regional and subregional organizations are

important partners in solving conflicts in affected

areas throughout the world. Their contribution to

conflict resolution is provided for under the United

Nations Charter. There is therefore a compelling need

for the United Nations to take into account the views

of regional organizations in the areas of mediation

and peacemaking. Such institutions should be fully

supported in finding lasting solutions to violent

conflicts around the world.

In Africa, since its inception, the African Union

Peace and Security Council has cooperated with the

United Nations Security Council towards those shared

goals of conflict resolution. Similarly, the subregion

of the Southern African Development Community has

established initiatives to resolve political conflicts in

the region through mediation.

However, we are concerned about the deteriorating

security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of

Congo. We therefore urge the international community

to support the regional initiative aimed at resolving

that conflict and to provide humanitarian assistance to

displaced persons. We call on all neighbouring countries

to work together with the Congolese authorities to help

resolve the conflict and to ensure that the sovereignty

and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of

the Congo is not violated.

In Madagascar, we urge the Malagasy political

actors to expedite the full implementation of the road

map leading to the holding of free, fair, inclusive and

credible elections.

With regard to the Sudan and South Sudan, Namibia

calls on the two countries to resolve all outstanding

issues peacefully. In the Darfur region of the Sudan, we

urge the Government and the other parties concerned to

find a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflict.

We denounce the unconstitutional changes of

Government in Mali and Guinea-Bissau that took place,

respectively, in March and April this year. Equally, Namibia resolutely rejects the secessionist attempts

in northern Mali and the destruction of ancient

shrines in Timbuktu. We wish to commend the role

played by the Economic Community of West African

States (ECOWAS) in helping to resolve the conflicts

in those two countries. At the same time, we urge

the international community to provide support and

assistance to ECOWAS.

Namibia welcomes the recent positive political

developments in Somalia, including the election of His

Excellency Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as President

of that country. I congratulate him and wish him well

in the noble task of bringing normalcy and stability

to that sister country. The international community

should continue to support the people of Somalia as

they embark upon the path to rebuild their country.

For many decades, the people of Western Sahara have

been denied their inalienable right to self-determination

and independence. Namibia reiterates its call for the

immediate and unconditional implementation of the

United Nations Settlement Plan, leading to the holding

of a free and fair referendum in Western Sahara.

Equally, we wish to reaffirm our unequivocal

support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian

people to self-determination and national independence

on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions.

Each year during the general debate, the majority

of States Members of the United Nations express their

concern over the continued economic, commercial

and financial blockade unilaterally imposed against

the Republic of Cuba, with its adverse effect on the

Cuban people. Thus, Namibia reiterates its call for the

immediate and unconditional lifting of the embargo

against Cuba.

Namibia attaches great importance to sustainable

development and the search for the best ways to

mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. In that

regard, we will continue to actively cooperate with the

international community to address climate change.

In that context, Namibia seeks the support of

Member States in hosting the secretariat of the

Green Climate Fund in our capital city, Windhoek If

successful, that would provide an opportunity for a

developing country to host a United Nations agency

of great importance. Given the opportunity, Namibia

stands ready to discharge its obligations arising from hosting the Green Climate Fund secretariat. We count

on Member States’ support.

The reform of the United Nations and its principal

organs should seek to strengthen the Organization in

order to make it more efficient, effective and responsive

to the needs of all its Members. In that context,

strengthening the role and authority of the General

Assembly is of paramount importance. Equally, the

reform of the Security Council is at the core of the wider

United Nations reform, given its primary responsibility

for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Namibia reiterates its support for the common African

position on the reform of the Security Council.

Let us rededicate ourselves to the principle of the

settlement of international disputes by peaceful means

in order to save current and succeeding generations

from the scourge of war and build a prosperous future

for our children.