Suriname, 2009

On behalf of my

delegation I congratulate Mr. Ali Treki on his election

as President of the sixty-fourth session of the General

Assembly. I am sure that his wisdom and experience

will guide us as we address the challenges on the

global agenda. I would like to pay tribute to the

important work of your predecessor Mr. Miguel

d’Escoto Brockmann. He led the Assembly’s sixty-

third session through complex discussions and

extensive investigations in a spirit of responsibility and

good faith. I also take this opportunity to commend the

Secretary-General and his staff for their continued

dedication in overseeing the ongoing efforts for

improving the working methods of the Organization

and its interaction with Member States.

The world continues to face many challenges,

both traditional and new. Whilst traditional challenges

to international peace and security persist, we also

have to cope with non-traditional threats such as

pervasive poverty, deadly diseases, increased

frequency and intensity of natural disasters and

environmental degradation. Added to those challenges

are the energy, food, financial and economic crises, all

of which are hampering the realization of the

Millennium Development Goals by the target date of

2015.

Our growing interdependence in today’s world

only strengthens the understanding that current

challenges transcend national borders and therefore

require concerted action and responses from the

international community. The United Nations therefore

remains the central forum for addressing global issues,

and we continue to advocate effective multilateralism

not as an option but as a necessity.

In this regard we deem it indispensable for the

United Nations to continue its reform efforts. This

should include meaningful reform of the Security

Council, to make it more effective and responsive to

today’s challenging world. Of equal importance is

strengthened cooperation within and between regional

groups. We should continue to promote and pursue

intensified channels of political dialogue between

regional groups in reaffirming our shared commitment

to multilateralism.

In this spirit, my country participates in regional

and interregional endeavours to strengthen political,

economic, cultural and social cooperation and

integration. I would like to highlight the importance of

the United Nations as an effective agent in advancing

multilateralism and emphasize the need for it to

strengthen its role of consultation and coordination

with regional organizations.

The urgency of the threat posed by climate

change requires the same degree of multilateral

engagement as has been demonstrated in areas ranging

from the fight against the uncontrolled spread of illicit

small arms and light weapons, the fight against

international terrorism and the effort to control

HIV/AIDS, on the one hand, and peacekeeping and

peacebuilding, the advancement of women and the

protection of human rights, on the other.

We express our appreciation to the Secretary-

General for convening the recent Summit on Climate

Change to garner the necessary political support to

“seal the deal” in Copenhagen. Suriname expects an

agreement in Copenhagen with ambitious mitigation

and adaptation targets. We expect the commitments

necessary to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in

appropriate quantities and to support adaptation in

developing countries. Countries that are historically

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responsible for the current emissions of greenhouse

gases in the atmosphere should take the lead in this

area.

In the spirit of common but differentiated

responsibilities, we look forward to appropriate

mitigation efforts by developing countries. As a high-

forest low-deforestation (HFLD) country, Suriname

will continue with its efforts to manage its forests

sustainably. In this way we aim to keep and improve

the climate-stabilizing capacity of our standing forests.

We attach great importance to the establishment of a

future forest carbon-mitigation regime providing

positive incentives to HFLD countries. In this regard

we call your attention to the report of the Informal

Working Group on Interim Finance for Reducing

Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

(REDD). This report estimates that, if financing of

€15 billion to €25 billion is available for the 2010-

2015 period, a 25 per cent reduction in annual global

deforestation rates will be achievable by 2015. In this

regard we call upon institutions and fellow Member

States to support United Nations REDD+ efforts in

recognition of the beneficial potential of tropical

forests in mitigating climate change.

Suriname has emphasized its support for the

promotion of dialogue among civilizations and the

culture of peace in various international forums,

especially through the full implementation of the

Global Agenda and Programme of Action for Dialogue

among Civilizations, as well as the Declaration and

Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace

(resolutions 56/6 and 53/243, respectively).

Our democracy serves as an illustration of our

quest for peace, security and development. Various

ethnic groups with different multicultural backgrounds

and religious traditions have come a long way in

coexisting and cooperating in a harmonious and

peaceful way. This engagement is reflected in the

political representation of our administration. It is

within this atmosphere of democratic values, of high

levels of religious and ethnic tolerance, that we are

building a society that can prosper and engage with the

region and the world beyond. In order to achieve

international peace, security and development,

cooperation should be based upon constructive and

respectful dialogue. This dialogue should be guided by

a spirit of tolerance, acceptance and trust among

religions, peoples and cultures. Only with mutual trust

and understanding will we be able to overcome

international tensions.

The Secretary-General recently emphasized the

importance of education for development. Education

has always been the foundation of economic

opportunity and prosperity. Knowledge and advanced

skills are critical tools for enhancing every country’s

economic potential, growth and standard of living. This

is why we have to join our efforts to improve the

capacity of countries to adopt, disseminate and

maximize technological advances. Improved

international cooperation aimed at creating better

educational systems will help developing countries

progress faster towards achieving the Millennium

Development Goals, particularly those related to all

levels of education, health and gender equality.

The promotion and protection of human rights are

among the most effective strategies for eliminating

inequalities between social groups and within and

between countries, and Suriname therefore remains

committed to the promotion and protection of all

human rights.

With regard to what is called the supreme

international crime — namely, the crime of

aggression — Suriname expresses the hope that a

decision on the elements of crime will be taken very

soon. The upcoming Review Conference of the Rome

Statute of the International Criminal Court, to be held in

Uganda next year, should therefore address this issue

seriously.

For more than 60 years the United Nations has

been able to build confidence and understanding

between Member States and help keep global peace.

My delegation reiterates its commitment to

development, respect for human rights and

international peace and security. We will continue to

engage in constructive dialogue aimed at contributing

to a better future for all.