Guinea-Bissau, 2005

Allow me at the outset to

congratulate you, Sir, on your election to preside over

the General Assembly at its sixtieth session. Given

your role at this critical moment, Guinea-Bissau, in its

capacity as a Vice-President at this session, will spare

no effort in supporting you in your work.

I also extend my warmest congratulations to your

predecessor, Mr. Jean Ping, Minister of State and

Minister for Foreign Affairs of the sisterly Republic of

Gabon, on the commitment and skill he demonstrated

during his presidency of the General Assembly at its

fifty-ninth session.

I also congratulate the Secretary-General, Mr.

Kofi Annan, on his excellent work at the head of our

Organization to strengthen its credibility, promote

essential international solidarity, and achieve consensus

on major issues relating to security, counter-terrorism,

development and human rights.

The world awaits the dawn of a new order, which

will require a more realistic and democratic international

political framework, global commitment, and the

collective will of all Member States to meet the

challenges facing humankind in the context of

increasing interdependence. We endorse the

conclusions and recommendations contained in the

Secretary-General's report, and I reiterate my country's

readiness to contribute to all global agreements that

will allow us to meet the current challenges of

development, security, the fight against international

terrorism, respect for human rights, and institutional

reform of the United Nations, in particular that of the

Security Council, where Africa should enjoy the

legitimate right to hold two permanent seats.

To carry out these reforms, it is important that

there be political will, based on the collective action of

States, which is the foundation of this international

system. I cannot overemphasize the fact that

cooperation which could lead to this collective action

will be possible only if the policies of our countries

take account of the needs of our own citizens, as well

as the needs of others, because we are part of the same

human family, forced to live together on this same

planet, and we have an obligation to share it and

protect it.

In this regard, I would express my concern vis-a-

vis the phenomenon of globalization. We are aware of

the enormous potential and advantages of a well-

managed globalization and all that it has to offer in the

economic, financial, commercial, technological and

communication fields. However, it is equally

important, at this stage of globalization, to recognize

that it has not been sufficiently inclusive. Exclusion

and marginalization in international relations are the

negative effects of globalization. These are factors that

contribute to the existence and proliferation of conflicts

- situations which require properly-coordinated, global

responses, as well as multilateral frameworks for

dialogue, agreement and effective interaction.

Inter-State conflict, civil wars, organized crime,

terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass

destruction and the illicit trafficking in small arms and

light weapons are phenomena which threaten

international security. But such threats are not limited

solely to these spheres. They also involve poverty,

pandemics and natural disasters affecting the planet.

The growing link between security and

development is proof that the gesture of solidarity

desired with regard to financing for development of the

poor is needed more than ever. This responsible and

4

positive attitude is one of the main pillars in our efforts

to pursue the Millennium Development Goals, a

challenge which mankind cannot fail to meet. I hope

that there will be sufficient political will so that the

new partnership for development which we wish to see

established among States in the very near future will

dispel any doubts and fulfil the hopes raised during the

internationally-organized conferences within the

framework of the United Nations in the economic,

financial and social and related spheres.

The outcome document we have just adopted at

the conclusion of the recent High-level Plenary

Meeting is still insufficient, but it is forward-looking.

We must underscore the fact that discussions,

agreements and negotiations need to be pursued in a

transparent fashion in order to achieve desired results

by all Member States.

Africa has rightfully been the recent subject of

increased attention on the part of the international

community. I am pleased to express our satisfaction at

the decision recently adopted at the Summit of the G-8

regarding debt cancellation for some African countries,

and the possibility of extending this measure to other

poor countries, including my country, Guinea-Bissau.

On 1 October, Guinea-Bissau will continue and

conclude the process of complete return to

constitutional normalcy through presidential elections.

The success of this political transitional period that

began in September 2003 is the fruitful result of

balanced relations among institutions of the Republic,

based on the separation of powers and characterized by

good governance.

We must recognize that this has not always been

easy, and quite often we have faced situations which go

beyond our national capacity to resolve. The

framework for constant cooperation and agreement

with the international community has been an

important instrument in following up the socio-

economic situation and the political internal process.

We wish to express our thanks to the Member States of

the Economic Community of West African States, the

European Union, the international community and

Portuguese-speaking countries for contributing to the

political transitional process in our country. Without

this support for Guinea-Bissau it would have been

difficult for us to face the numerous constraints during

the transitional phase.

The role played by the United Nations system -

the Economic and Social Council's ad hoc group and

the Group of Friends of Guinea-Bissau in particular -

deserves special mention and our most heartfelt thanks.

The support of the international community has

been very important in the success of the transitional

period in Guinea-Bissau. However, more decisive

action is required to meet the challenges of

reconstruction and the rebuilding of the infrastructure

in my country, to improve the economy and create

minimal conditions for governability and to strengthen

the foundation of a democratic State, which we wish to

see in Guinea-Bissau. These factors are essential for

peace and for political and social stability.

Once again, I would call from this rostrum for the

support of the international community in the

November Donor Round-Table Conference with

partners in peace for development in order to adopt

together a document on the national strategy to reduce

poverty. This goal is in line with the concerns of the

United Nations aimed at more effective assistance to

countries in post-conflict situations, contained in the

proposal to create a Peacebuilding Commission, which

we fully support.

We recognize respect for the rules of democracy,

for human rights and good economic and financial

governance. We feel that they are the foundation for

the rule of law. We reaffirm the commitment of my

Government, in strict compliance with our constitution,

to work in close cooperation with all institutions of the

Republic to create conditions aimed at promoting

national reconciliation, peace and domestic political

stability, to consolidate our relations of friendship,

brotherhood and solidarity with our neighbours and to

restore a climate of trust, credibility and effective,

lasting partnership with the entire international

community for socio-economic development in our

country.