Rwanda, 2010

At this sixty-fifth session of

the General Assembly, it is right that we re-examine

the role of the United Nations in global governance, as

we strive to help it adapt as fast as our times are

changing, so that it serves all its Members equally.

In my understanding, global governance

recognizes the inevitable and welcome

interconnectedness of nations, the unique

circumstances and contributions of each and the

principle of mutual respect. I say “welcome” because,

as we have seen, major threats of a global scale — like

the financial crisis, climate change, terrorism, poverty

and other challenges to world peace — need the

concerted efforts of all nations if they are to be

addressed effectively.

The just-concluded High-level Plenary Meeting

on the Millennium Development Goals has provided us

another opportunity to assess the role of the United

Nations, measure the progress we have made and

consider the hurdles that remain in meeting the various

Goals we set for ourselves. It is evident that the United

Nations is uniquely placed to play a crucial role in

mobilizing and galvanizing all nations for the common

good, driving forward our collective initiatives and

coordinating actions that foster the social and

economic development of all.

Still, the United Nations is the sum total of

Member States, and it can only be as good as the

constituent Members want it to be. If there were a

common understanding and shared values among all

Member States, the Organization would deliver more

efficiently on its mandate. But it has become clear that

the United Nations has evolved into a two-tier

organization, reflecting a world that seems to be

divided into two major categories: one considered to

have inherent, laudable values, rights and liberties, and

another that needs to be taught and coached on those

values.

My country and many in the developing world

seem to fall into that second category. Not only

marginalized and disenfranchised, we are also

considered chronic violators of our own human rights.

The implication is that the United Nations holds a

certain standard for some countries, and another for

others, especially on international issues concerning

which every single Member should be treated equally

under the law.

In my view, a debate between those two

categories is urgently needed within the United Nations

membership so as to regain the noble founding ideals

of the Organization. No entity is better placed than our

common United Nations to bring equality and respect,

despite disparities in economic status.

The same situation pertains in the realm of

international justice and the rule of law. Rwanda

subscribes to the principle that everyone and every

State is accountable to laws and that the rule of law

should govern us all. But these laws must truly be

equally enforced and independently adjudicated.

Reaffirming the role of the United Nations in

global governance presupposes strengthening and

reforming it to make it more effective and efficient in

its response to global challenges. The impetus to

reform our global governance structures, however, is

the desire to ensure that they are equipped to deal with

those challenges and secure a brighter future for all the

citizens of the world.

When there are no avenues for appealing

international rulings, when there is an accountability

deficit in key global institutions and when ordinary

citizens feel that the United Nations cannot deal

adequately with the issues affecting their daily lives,

the United Nations cannot be seen as credible, relevant

and democratic. We should make sure the Organization

does not become a tool for the powerful to protect their

interests and enhance their influence or use it in

subjugating others.

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Rwanda believes in multilateralism and

understands that global challenges can be effectively

resolved only through international cooperation. The

United Nations must continue to be at the centre of that

agenda and play its role without bias or prejudice.

As we in Rwanda continue to rebuild our country,

we have become acutely aware of the need for lasting

peace and security in our region and have worked hard

to achieve it. We know that stability is the key

prerequisite for our development and the improved

lives of our citizens and our neighbours, and we have

unreservedly committed ourselves to attaining it. We

will continue to work in partnership with our

neighbours, international and regional organizations

and the African Union to ensure that peace and security

prevail and that Africa fully realizes its potential.

Lastly, let me say that each of our countries,

separately and collectively, has a duty to the people of

the entire world, especially the most vulnerable.