Sweden, 2008

The United Nations was

built on common values and norms. The United

Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights and other key documents not only express those

values and norms, but also constitute international law,

the foundation upon which every attempt to build a

lasting peace must rest. Rules of international law

apply equally to all States, large and small. According

to the United Nations Charter, “Members shall settle

their international disputes by peaceful means” and

“refrain … from the threat or use of force against the

territorial integrity or political independence of any

State”. We look to the United Nations, and in particular

to the Security Council, to uphold those rules. The five

permanent members have a special responsibility in

that regard.

Russia’s invasion of Georgia — a sovereign State

and a Member of the United Nations — using massive

military force, is a clear violation of the United

Nations Charter. Russia’s subsequent recognition of

parts of Georgia as independent States stands in stark

contradiction to international law, including principles

and commitments agreed in the context of the

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,

including the Helsinki Final Act. Sweden unreservedly

supports the territorial integrity of Georgia. We call on

Russia to fulfil its obligations in accordance with the

six-point plan brokered by the European Union and to

withdraw all forces to their positions before 7 August.

This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the

adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights. While celebrating the achievements, we

recognize the challenges that remain. The Declaration’s

historic article 21 on democracy, which reads in part:

“Everyone has the right to take part in the government

of his country, directly or through freely chosen

representatives”, is a perfect illustration of that point.

Since 1948, millions of people have gained the

freedom of democratic choice, while millions of others

are still denied that freedom.

Sweden places a strong emphasis on democracy

and human rights in our development cooperation. Our

efforts to make the Universal Declaration and other

human rights norms a reality everywhere must also

include the United Nations itself. Human rights should

be an essential part of all United Nations activities,

including conflict prevention, peacekeeping and

peacebuilding efforts, as well as in the work of the

funds and programmes.

To fight terrorism is to defend human rights.

Human rights are the key also to countering terrorism.

Measures against terrorism will be effective and

legitimate only when they are taken within a clear

framework of international law. It is essential that the

Security Council have fair and clear procedures in

matters of listing and delisting when targeted sanctions

have been imposed. The fight against impunity has to

continue. We must support the International Criminal

Court. Bringing to justice those responsible for the

most serious crimes is vital to building sustainable

peace. At the same time, justice should be pursued in a

manner that supports peace processes.

States have a responsibility to protect people

within their own borders from massive violations of

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their human rights. If a State is not capable of doing so,

it should ask the international community — the

United Nations or regional organizations — for help.

We must all be ready to assist. Not long ago, the

United Nations and the African Union were able to

help Kenya to prevent a frightening crisis from turning

into the worst possible nightmare. If a State is

unwilling to protect people within its borders, the

Security Council must assume its responsibility to

protect. We need a Security Council that is ready to

shoulder that responsibility and to work together,

because unilateral action might run the risk of

aggravating the problem and undermining international

law and legitimacy.

Violence against women and girls is a major

obstacle to the full enjoyment of human rights and

fundamental freedoms by all people. Efforts to combat

such violence must not end with a peace agreement.

We must ensure that women have full access to justice,

also in the transition from war to peace. Last June, the

landmark Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on

women and peace and security was followed up by

Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) on sexual

violence. It reaffirms that rape and other forms of

sexual violence can be war crimes or crimes against

humanity. It obliges Governments to combat such

behaviour by all necessary means. Although the United

Nations has made considerable efforts in that area,

more needs to be done, both in the field and at

Headquarters.

The European Union and the Council of Europe

have established 10 October as the European Day

against the Death Penalty. I hope that before too long

we shall be able to agree on a United Nations day

against that inhumane form of punishment.

We face a growing danger of nuclear

proliferation. Iran, though not the only case, is the

most worrisome at present. Recent developments in the

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea also give cause

for concern. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of

Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the cornerstone of

non-proliferation and the foundation for the pursuit of

nuclear disarmament. Sweden is strongly committed to

upholding and further strengthening existing

multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation

obligations. The nuclear Powers have taken on special

commitments within the NPT process. In order not to

undermine the Treaty, they must demonstrate their

readiness to substantially reduce their nuclear arsenals.

More efforts are needed, in particular in Africa, to

achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

by 2015. Therefore, Sweden is increasing its support to

Africa. We encourage others to do the same, as well as

to deliver on the aid commitments already made. In the

long run, the rise in the price of energy and food could

have a positive effect on development in the

agricultural sector. In the short run, however, it could

jeopardize the fulfilment of the MDGs and threaten

progress already made. Communicable diseases, not

least HIV/AIDS, are another obstacle to the

achievement of the MDGs that we must address. The

Accra meeting on the Paris Declaration took important

steps towards better aid effectiveness and reconfirmed

the shared responsibility for development. However,

much more must be done in areas such as democratic

governance and human rights, the role of women in

development, and the impact of global climate change.

That is a challenge for developing and developed

countries alike. The world economy is facing

turbulence and uncertainty. A more open trade regime

would bring increased economic growth and

interdependence, which in turn would have a

significant stabilizing effect. Trade policy is one of the

tools to help developing countries become integrated

into the world economy and reap the benefits of trade.

Trade reforms are fundamental for sustainable

economic growth and poverty reduction. We regret the

failure to reach a breakthrough in the World Trade

Organization Doha Round. We all share a

responsibility to resolve the few remaining issues.

The United Nations system — both in the field

and at Headquarters — must be reformed in order to

ensure coherence and effectiveness. Reforms must also

enable the United Nations to work more effectively on

gender issues and for the promotion of equal rights and

opportunities.

The United Nations needs to bolster its capacity

to handle the unprecedented demand for peace

operations. Cooperation with regional organizations

and arrangements, such as the European Union, NATO

and the African Union, is essential.

Sweden strongly supports efforts to bridge crisis

management and long-term development in post-

conflict situations. By chairing the Burundi

configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, we

hope to be able to contribute to further developing the

role of the United Nations in peacebuilding.

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Sweden was proud to host the first annual review

meeting of the International Compact with Iraq. The

partnership between the Government of Iraq and the

United Nations is crucial. It is therefore imperative to

continue strengthening the role of the United Nations

in Iraq.

It is the poorest who are the hardest hit by climate

change. Therefore, Sweden is providing additional

resources for a special climate initiative in our

development cooperation. It aims to contribute

effectively to long-term efforts to combat climate

change and its effects in developing countries.

Climate change is a crucial challenge facing our

planet. We recognize our responsibility to take concrete

steps at home and to show the leadership necessary to

achieve broad and long-term international consensus.

One year from now, Sweden will hold the presidency

of the European Union. In that capacity, Sweden will

take on a special responsibility regarding efforts to put

an international climate agreement in place by 2009 in

Copenhagen. The key to a successful conclusion of

those negotiations, however, rests with each and every

one of us.

It is time to once again remind ourselves of our

mutual commitments and to stand up for the universal

principles underpinning international cooperation. It is

time to muster the political will to reassert our shared

values. It is time to show that we are determined to

work jointly to foster peace, democracy and

development worldwide.