Madagascar, 2007

Each and every one

of us knows that there is an urgent need for the

globalization of responsibility. Each of us knows that

this responsibility demands more than just goodwill.

Each of us knows that the globalization of

responsibility demands the creation of the right

environment to reach these objectives. Every year,

these objectives and measures are repeated at this

General Assembly. Every year, the actions to fulfil

them remain weak.

This is the fifth time I have taken part in the

General Assembly, and I must honestly tell you that I

am very concerned about two things. First, I am very

concerned because national interests prevail over

emergencies that affect us all. These emergencies are

closely linked to common interests. It is in the interest

of all of us to address them together. Second, I am very

concerned about the lack of seriousness. A lot of

promises are made, but not a lot of promises are kept.

Today, we are confronted with two major

challenges that could entail major disasters should we

not take them seriously and act quickly. Those

challenges must be the priority of priorities. The first

concerns climate change. The second is the

development of Africa.

Imagine the impact on all the nations and all the

people represented here if the situation worsens. All of

our national efforts will be ruined by earthquakes,

ecological disasters and social disasters. Climate

change creates and aggravates conflicts. The refugees

and victims of climate change will be the refugees and

victims of wars and poverty. We must act today to save

the earth, or this earth will not be ours anymore.

On the other hand, imagine the impact on all

nations and all people if the current situation improves.

It will strengthen the confidence of nations and

investors. If the world were in ecological balance, and

if it were without poverty, there would be a

considerable impact on political and social conflicts.

The two challenges are bound together. Africa

will have either a positive or a negative impact on the

world climate, with enormous repercussions. Our

actions and our decisions will decide. The world

climate will have either a positive or a negative impact,

with enormous repercussions for the development of

Africa. Again, our decisions and our actions will

decide.

Africa only produces one per cent of the world's

solar energy. In Africa, the possibilities for new and

clean forms of energy and for the reduction of carbon

dioxide are enormous.

Madagascar could provide some of its energy

needs through the development of hydropower.

Additionally, half of the island could be reforested. Our

island, called the Red Island, could once again become

known as the Green Island.

There is a strong link between the quality of the

environment and poverty. Many bushfires are the result

of poverty; the destruction of natural resources

increases poverty. It is necessary to quickly step out of

this vicious cycle. Increased international help will

limit the exploitation of natural resources by poor

farmers.

In Madagascar, we have been planning our

development strategies around the concept of

sustainability for some time now. Our vision is called

“Madagascar, Naturally!” It means that our natural

resources and our people are our wealth. We will

preserve our environment and increase its value by

using it responsibly.

We are actively looking for international

investment, but believe that in the long run this will not

amount to much unless we have domestic investors as

well. We can create added value through our successes

in processing our natural products.

We are convinced that economic growth from the

bottom up is the key to success. The most important

message I gave to the Malagasy people at the

beginning of my second term was the necessity of

decentralization right down to the level of the

fokontany. Originally, the fokontany was the traditional

Malagasy village. We are trying our best to restore the

balance between humans and nature.

This is a different approach; this is a Malagasy

approach; this is an approach that encourages the

Malagasy people to take their future into their own

hands; this is not the approach of the donors. With this

approach we strive to forge a partnership with the

international community.

We have described all of this in detail in the

Madagascar Action Plan. Read it, and you will see that

we are already contributing to meeting the challenges

that I have mentioned. We are committing ourselves to

protecting and cherishing the environment, to healing

the injuries of the past and to ending rampant climate

change.

In the Action Plan we came up with a set of very

ambitious goals. We do what we can, despite our

limited resources; we could do so much more if the

international community helped us more.

We are thankful to the donors who have increased

their financial assistance; however, as a whole, these

efforts have fallen far short of our expectations,

especially if we are to achieve the Millennium

Development Goals. The amount of financial

assistance is not even close to the promise of doubled

aid to Africa. The donors are still far from honouring

the numerous promises made here at the United

Nations. They are far from addressing global

challenges. The international approach to Africa lacks

seriousness.

Aid to Africa is still not a success story for many

members of the international community. On average,

results are poor, but Africa is advancing as a continent —

not everywhere, but in an increasing number of

countries.

Once, Madagascar rated amongst the least

effective countries. Today, we are an effective country.

Our economy has benefited from continuous economic

growth: we had 5 per cent economic growth 5 years

ago, 6 per cent over the last few years and 7 per cent in

2007. Poverty rates are dropping dramatically; in 2002,

80 per cent of our population lived in poverty and last

year this rate stood at 67 per cent.

Aid to Africa is as weak as ever. Africa can

absorb so much more and all countries would benefit

from this. The European Union is a good example of a

lot of aid leading to great benefits for many countries. I

am convinced that Africa could advance much quicker

if the international community and the African

countries could come up with a new plan.

A “Marshall Plan” for Africa — I have suggested

this repeatedly over the years and I am saying it again:

We need a “Marshall Plan” for Africa. A crucial

element to this plan should be a new partnership. I

propose to you an ecological partnership between the

industrialized countries and Africa. Such a partnership

could contribute substantially to finding real solutions

to some of the climate problems through a programme

of investment. Other important features would include

nature conservation and the preservation of our

biodiversity.

I am convinced that Africa could supply clean

energy, medicinal and industrial plants and other

natural products in the future. The world will

eventually need more and more of these.

We feel that sustainable policies that emphasize

protection and added value should be high on our

agenda, and should represent our commitment to the

world. Remember though that such policies will also

benefit our country.

In Madagascar, cyclones destroy a large part of

our harvests every year; they destroy houses; they kill

people. The increase in the number and strength of

those cyclones is hindering the whole process of

development. Higher temperatures are reducing

harvests and our unique biodiversity. They also lead to

more and more harmful inserts and illnesses.

All over Africa, we are already seeing the

consequences of climate change. Droughts and floods

are the causes of increased migration and serious

conflicts. An aggravation of climate change will not

only bring fluxes of devastating waters on all

continents, but also fluxes of refugees and waves of

social conflicts.

In short, the world needs Africa to solve the

problem of climate change, and Africa needs a stable

climate for lasting, sustainable development. To

achieve this globalization of responsibility will require

dedicated leadership. We need leaders who can

mobilize their people and get results — fast results and

big results.

At this time I want to congratulate the new

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. I wish him the best of

success in this very important task. We in Africa look

to the United Nations for dynamic leadership — it is

our hope. May his leadership help us to get results —

the kind of results that bring peace and prosperity to

Africa and to the world.