Belize, 2007

For more than 20 years we

have been talking about rising atmospheric

temperatures, the depletion of the ozone layer, rising

sea levels and the impending inundation of low-lying

coastal areas. Now that the climate change debate has

finally become the rage, those of us who see the

change and worry about the inevitable must

unfortunately still contend with entrenched special

interests who, despite the overwhelming evidence now

available, continue to argue otherwise.

We are focusing our general debate on climate

change, and it is the hope of my delegation that this

will lead to more decisive action by all Member States

so that we can begin to make the changes we believe

are necessary for us to reverse the trends which so far

continue to lead us down a destructive path.

We already agree that negotiations on action to

tackle climate change should be conducted within the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change. We subscribe to the principle that each of us

has a role to play. Those who are the largest polluters

must reverse these trends. Those who are not among

the largest polluters must take the necessary measures

aimed at mitigation, as well as adaptation methods, to

help in reversing those trends.

Developed countries must recognize the special

needs of the most vulnerable, in order to support our

efforts towards sustainable development and to assist

us to make our communities more adaptable to change.

We must develop the capacity to take action. We must

adopt more sustainable practices. For that to occur we

must take specific action to limit greenhouse gas

emissions. It is not enough to say that we will reduce

harmful emissions. We have been saying that since

Rio; we must do it.

The European Union commitment on climate

change is important politically, but we need to move

beyond symbolism to action. Other developed

countries and regions, as well as emerging economies,

must take substantial steps towards mitigation and

develop and share the technologies which result in

low-carbon or no-carbon economies.

In Belize, the symbiosis between our ecology and

our economy is evident. Agricultural production,

fishing, mineral extraction and hydrocarbon

exploration as well as tourism are all subject to the

caprices of the climate. Must we also be subjected to

an uneven playing field in the arena of international

trade, which is fast reaching the crisis level? To mix

metaphors, sometimes a rising tide can swamp

vulnerable boats.

The international community must keep

development in perspective in the current climate

change debate, since, as has been said before,

economic development better enables countries to

tackle climate change. Our focus on the urgency of the

current situation should not, however, detract from the

equally urgent if not dire situation of the development

agenda, resulting from complex factors including

climate change and the failure of the international

economic system to reinvent itself.

At the heart of the crisis is a fundamental distrust,

and no place is this more evident than in the Doha

Development Round. Doha doled out harsh

consequences for developing countries, particularly

those that are commodity and preference dependent.

We ask the question: Is there is a serious commitment

to the survival of the multilateral trading system? If the

answer is no, we can expect to see even more bilateral

and regional arrangements, resulting in a movement

away from the idea that together we are better at

solving our common problems.

The discussions on climate change and the larger

development debate exhibit the need for an effective,

legitimate multilateral system that is fair and balanced

and that operates in a transparent and inclusive manner.

Responsible leadership that adheres to the basic

principles of justice and the rule of law is even more

critical to achieving that system and maintaining its

integrity.

It is in this spirit of respect for law and justice

and of the desire for equity and for the preservation of

human rights that we continue to struggle with the

decision of this body to exclude any true debate over

the inclusion of the right of the 23 million people of

Taiwan to representation in this institution. The desire

of the people of Taiwan is not only to take part in the

deliberations of this institution but, indeed, to be

engaged on the critical issues facing the international

community. We remain steadfast in our support for

their aspirations and will continue to advocate for their

representation, as well as that of the Saharawi people,

who lack a voice in our United Nations.

We continue to monitor the situation in the

Middle East with great concern. The question of

Palestine remains the crux of the conflicts in the

region. In that regard, it is high time that we realized

the vision of two States, Palestine and Israel, living

side by side in peace and security. We join those who

expect that the international meeting to be held in the

near future will yield results substantial enough to

translate that vision into reality.

The United Nations remains the key institution to

facilitate cooperation and build global solidarity to

solve our pressing economic, social and political

problems. Its effectiveness has been challenged. The

United Nations and its Member States have responded

to this challenge by embarking on a comprehensive

reform process to overhaul the system and to ensure

that it is better equipped to meet contemporary global

demands.

We applaud reform that has been achieved in

peacebuilding, human rights and humanitarian

assistance and encourage the United Nations to

monitor these developments for their effectiveness and

their compliance with their mandates and with the

Charter of the United Nations. Belize continues to

support comprehensive reform of the Security Council.

In particular, we agree with other Member States which

have called for a more results-oriented debate during

the sixty-second session.

Building trust requires a return to basics. To

advance development, we must return to the basic

principle of equity. In international peace and security,

we must return to the basic principles of the United

Nations Charter and the rule of law.

In the matter of climate change, that greatest

challenge to our civilization, we must look to science

to make those arguments which will diminish the

sceptics. And we must return to the basic principles

enshrined in the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change.

Let us give meaning to the moment. Let us get to

work.