Grenada, 2006

I am indeed honoured to

join previous delegations in congratulating Sheikha

Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa on her election as President of

the Assembly at this sixty-first session. Let me assure

her of Grenada’s support as she guides these important

deliberations towards the implementation of a global

partnership for development.

My delegation would also like to pay tribute to

Mr. Jan Eliasson, Foreign Minister of Sweden, who

laboured tirelessly during his presidency of the sixtieth

session, and for his efforts in guiding the follow-up

process to the Summit Outcome.

My delegation welcomes the Secretary-General’s

tenth and final report, which gives a comprehensive

review of the Organization’s achievements, challenges

and preparation for the future. It is fitting at this

juncture to convey to the Secretary-General the

appreciation of the Government and people of Grenada

for his sterling contribution to world peace and security

during his tenure at the helm of this Organization. The

road was not always smooth, but with his calm

disposition, unmistakable eloquence and astute and

dedicated leadership, the Organization was able to

overcome the rough patches. We heartily commend his

efforts to strengthen the United Nations through the

reform process, and wish him well in his future

endeavours.

We meet in very difficult times. The effects of

rapid technological changes, new geopolitical and

economic alliances, evolving rules in international

trade, and in particular security concerns, continue to

grip ordinary citizens in our small countries and

regions, worsening the notion of an uncertain future.

My delegation believes that this year’s theme of

implementing a global partnership for development is

timely and one which, if we work together, will

enhance our economies in all of their aspects.

It is for that reason that, within our region, we

have taken the necessary steps in response to the

challenges we face by deepening our integration

arrangements with the creation of the Caribbean

Community Single Market and Economy. Recognizing

the changing trends related to the movement of skills,

Grenada has placed great emphasis on the economic

06-53615 12

empowerment of its young people, as well as on the

creation of a more diverse and non-traditional job

sector. Having lost much of our traditional agriculture

through natural disasters and the changing global

environment, we have been forced to create

alternatives through global partnerships.

Since the adoption of the Millennium

Declaration, we have encountered untold challenges in

attempting to achieve the prescribed goals. As this

body is well aware, Grenada, as one of the small States

which hold membership in this Organization, has on

many occasions relied not only on our immediate

regional partners, but also on the wider membership

and respective United Nations agencies during some

very difficult and trying times. Our most recent past is

not yet overcome, since we are still rebuilding our

shattered economy following the devastation of two

hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.

However, despite those challenges, we pledge to

continue to work towards the achievement of some of

the Millennium Development Goals. We have made

significant strides in our efforts to contain the spread of

HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. along with

improvements in education, poverty eradication and

environmental sustainability.

Grenada has over the years worked closely and

successfully with the United Nations agencies in our

region. Therefore, we are hopeful that, during this

session, no effort will be spared to ensure the

sustainability of those agencies.

My delegation has on numerous occasions made

reference to the unfortunate reality that special and

differential treatment for small and vulnerable

economies is fast becoming a thing of the past. We

have seen decreases in financial and technical support

from traditional partners, and a reduction in the market

for trade in goods and services.

In that vein, the suspension of the Doha Round of

multilateral trade negotiations in July 2006 was a

major setback for my country. International trade and

reduction in poverty are inextricably linked to

development. Greater market access for products from

developing countries can lead to economic growth and

higher standards of living. Grenada therefore looks

forward to the resumption of those negotiations.

In the past few months, the United Nations has

been encumbered with the task of maintaining peace

and security in many parts of the world. My delegation

commends the efforts made in that respect and

welcomes the creation of the Peacebuilding

Commission, which will assist States in the post-

conflict era. We extend condolences to the families of

those brave men and women who lost their lives in the

service of the organization. Grenada is proud to be a

police-contributing country with the United Nations

Stabilization Mission in Haiti and looks forward to

continuing its involvement in that area.

My delegation is well aware that this

Organization will have to increase its efforts in

combating terrorism, and welcomes the recently agreed

Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy as a positive step in

that regard.

Grenada makes it clear that it uncompromisingly

condemns terrorism and all acts of violence, and

pledges its full cooperation in combating that

phenomenon. Though my delegation is supportive of

those measures, as a small island developing State we

are faced with serious financial and technical

constraints in maintaining continued peace and security

within our region. The measures we have implemented

in that respect will be tested as we host the 2007

Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.

My delegation, in applauding the creation of the

Human Rights Council, is hopeful that the new body

will be able through its work to ensure that democracy

and good governance are observed in all their aspects.

We fully support the Secretary- General’s sentiments

that mainstreaming all human rights, including the

right to development, is necessary, and support to

Member States in their efforts to build stronger

national systems for the promotion and protection of

human rights is of extreme importance.

Grenada was indeed honoured to participate at

the highest level in the launching of the new Central

Emergency Response Fund earlier this year and to lend

its support to the growth of the Fund. We commend the

work of the Organization in that regard and are well

aware of the importance of maintaining and supporting

the Fund, especially since, globally, there has been an

increase in natural and humanitarian disasters. We are

pleased with the decision to expand the relationship

outside of the membership to include the private,

individual and non-governmental sectors.

We call on the international community to honour

its responsibility and commitment to the full

13 06-53615

implementation of the Mauritius Strategy and to

support programmes in our region related to early

warning systems, the Catastrophe Risk Insurance

Facility, and vulnerability reduction, while at the same

time building resilience.

My delegation has taken note of the resolution on

development. However, we are disappointed that this

aspect of the Summit Outcome has not progressed with

the kind of vigour we would have welcomed. That is of

special importance to countries like my own, since

support for development objectives is paramount to our

economic sustainability. We cannot fail to reiterate our

vulnerability and call for swift action at this session in

order to ensure the stability of our small societies.

My delegation salutes the Secretary-General’s

efforts to strengthen the Organization through its

engagement with civil society and other non-State

actors, and agrees that they are important to the

legitimacy of democratic ideals. Grenada has

increased its efforts to strengthen the relationship

between Government and the private sector through

partnerships in trade, education, health, tourism and

investment activities, and has already seen positive

results from this type of engagement, especially in the

aftermath of the recent hurricanes.

2007 will mark the bicentenary of the passage of

the act abolishing the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the

British empire, and it is anticipated that the General

Assembly will hold a commemorative event to mark

that historic occasion. The members of the Caribbean

Community will submit a draft resolution to the

General Assembly, and we expect the full support of all

Member States in that regard.

We, along with other members of the Caribbean

Community, feel compelled on a regular basis to make

the plea for special attention to be paid to the threat

facing the Caribbean Sea. Grenada therefore takes this

opportunity to reiterate its concerns over the

transshipment of nuclear waste and other hazardous

material through the marine environment of the

Caribbean. The Caribbean Sea provides for us a

lifeline, the potential loss of which could be enormous

to our people’s livelihood. As we are well aware, loss

of economic opportunities brings with it poverty and

social unrest and ultimately threatens democracy — a

solid tradition on which the Caribbean Community

continues to pride itself. We therefore urge

understanding and solidarity with our cause.

My delegation applauds the Organization for its

work in the areas of reform and looks forward to the

continuation of that process, especially in the areas of

development, Economic and Social Council reform,

Secretariat and management reform, Security Council

reform, system-wide coherence, disarmament and non-

proliferation, and other areas that have received only

partial attention. Let us pursue with vigour our work in

ensuring that this body finds ways not only to sustain,

but to continue to build on the successes of its past

achievements.

The many challenges that we all now face make it

necessary that we work together to make the planet a

better place for future generations. Let us, then,

commit ourselves to cooperating with and supporting

each other in the journey towards genuine

development.

Finally, my delegation, having listened to the

debate over the past few days, is heartened by the

pledges of support and is convinced that, together, we

can make it work to our collective benefit. Grenada is

pleased to join in that pledge and looks forward to

working with the Organization and its partners in

attaining that goal.