Lithuania, 2006

The previous session of the

General Assembly created high expectations for reform

and comprehensive renewal that would ensure the

continued success and relevance of the United Nations

well into the twenty-first century. Thanks to the

initiatives launched by the Secretary-General, today we

have the Peacebuilding Commission; the Central

Emergency Response Fund; the recognition of a

collective responsibility to protect, where a State fails

to protect its citizens from genocide and crimes against

humanity; and a new Human Rights Council. Lithuania

is committed to work to ensure that the new Human

Rights Council can strengthen the protection and

promotion of human rights around the world.

It is said that State-building is a long and difficult

process. That is precisely why United Nations

assistance in this area is much needed. The

Peacebuilding Commission brings renewed hope that

post-conflict countries can avoid slipping back into

chaos. But institutions alone do not count if they are

not supported by political will. Strong international

commitment is necessary in offering hope of a better

life wherever nations are struggling to get back on their

feet.

Lithuania’s lead in a Provincial Reconstruction

Team in Afghanistan has given us first-hand

understanding of the vital importance of the

sustainability and continuity of such efforts. However,

whether in Afghanistan or elsewhere, our efforts will

be successful only to the extent that the nations

themselves are fully engaged in post-conflict State-

building and rational, market-sound economic

development. Today, we welcome an increasing Afghan

capacity to rebuild the country, and we are encouraged

by the expansion of the International Security

Assistance Force area of responsibility. On the other

hand, the challenges ahead will require ever-increasing

focus and further efforts on the ground.

The tragic events in the Middle East over the past

12 months have vividly demonstrated the human and

financial costs of inability to reach compromises and

final solutions regarding problems that have divided

societies and poisoned the region for long years. Thus,

the effective promotion of a comprehensive peace plan

in the Middle East is topical as never before. Security

Council resolution 1701 (2006) and major donor

conferences offer hope for the development of a

sovereign and strong Lebanon. Let us make this a

reality by pooling our efforts and contributing to this

cause today, not tomorrow. The two States of Israel and

Palestine living side by side in peace is our goal.

Few security issues are as dramatic as terrorism,

with its indiscriminate targeting of civilian lives in an

ever-expanding geography. Five years ago, the people

of this very city suffered a brutal and cold-blooded

attack on the values of humanity and tolerance that

forever changed the world as we knew it. It is therefore

essential that we unite our efforts to ensure that this

never happens again. We welcome the Assembly’s

adoption of the United Nations Global Anti-Terrorism

Strategy (resolution 60/288), and we call for the

completion of work on a comprehensive convention on

international terrorism as soon as possible and for its

being put into practice.

To succeed in our fight against terrorism, we

must not yield to fears that separate; instead, we must

build on our common humanity. We therefore hope the

Alliance of Civilizations will become an integral part

of our interaction, promoting solidarity, inclusion and

understanding and reinforcing the values and principles

which extremists seek to undermine.

Furthermore, we should redouble our efforts to

tackle the issue of disarmament and non-proliferation.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the

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challenges to non-proliferation continue to mount.

Lithuania strongly supports the strengthening of the

effectiveness and efficiency of the IAEA Safeguards

System. Compliance with the Nuclear Non-

Proliferation Treaty and the relevant Security Council

resolutions is a key to global security. We therefore call

on all States to exercise full compliance in this area,

vital to our common peace and security.

At the same time, security, as it is typically

defined, has a broader meaning now. We should deal

with climate change, energy security and dire water or

food shortages with equal attention.

We must be firm in our common fight against

terrorism, but we must be just as firm in fighting

poverty and upholding the dignity of the individual. We

need to put the available resources to the best possible

use, such as ensuring significant progress in the

implementation of the internationally agreed upon

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Lithuania is proud to follow up on these

commitments. As a new donor country, we know that it

will take time to measure up to the high expectations in

the field. We provide increasing amounts of advice and

assistance, in more and more places. Over the past year

alone, our development aid has grown by 60 per cent.

We are determined to further increase our aid and

diversify its geography. We remember what it meant to

receive help when we needed it, and we know and

accept the responsibility to now help others in our turn.

Only a comprehensive approach can ensure that

the inextricable link between security, development,

and human rights that we all agreed on will translate

into a real and positive impact on the lives of countless

millions of human beings around the world.

As we pursue the commitments already

undertaken, we must look beyond tomorrow to be able

to empower the United Nations to deal successfully

with the challenging diversity of issues and concerns of

all our nations.

It is natural that in debating such vital issues as

the reform of the United Nations, we, the Member

States, have disagreements. However, we should also

remember that, while we discuss our disagreements

here in New York, millions of the poorest are suffering

from degrading starvation, millions of children are

dying from preventable diseases, and millions of

people have nothing to rely on but the United Nations

to protect them. If we want the United Nations to

effectively deal with development challenges, counter

new deadly threats and restore the value of human life

to countless people around the world, an ongoing

change is a must.

I therefore urge the United Nations to continue in

the vital areas of management reform and mandates

review in order to increase the Organization’s

efficiency and effectiveness for the benefit of all.

We also urge strengthening of international

environmental governance and translating the World

Summit agreement on the collective responsibility to

protect into a willingness to act, when such action is

needed, and ending impunity for the most serious

crimes of concern to the international community.

A vital element of the United Nations renewal is

the issue of Security Council reform. Lithuania has

consistently supported reform, in terms of both

membership and working methods. Enhancing the

Council’s legitimacy through such reform will enable it

to improve the discharge of its primary responsibilities

vis-à-vis international peace and security.

A renewed Security Council should give adequate

voice and representation to all regions. As a member of

the East European Group, Lithuania believes that this

Group, too, deserves better representation on the future

Security Council. Our collective experience of

dramatic and peaceful transformation of our societies

has a lot to offer. In this respect, we believe, our Group

can offer an excellent candidate for the post of

Secretary-General.

Despite its flaws, the United Nations remains the

only organization with the potential to embody a truly

global and effective spirit of multilateralism.

Therefore, whatever we do, we should continue to ask

ourselves: are we, the Member States, doing enough to

help the United Nations fulfil its promise to mankind?

We are a world family and we have responsibilities to

one another.