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REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS
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Statement by H.E. Mr. Alfred Capelle, Permanent Representative
On the report of the Secretary-General “In Larger Freedom: towards
development, security and human rights for all”
Consultations on Cluster One: “Freedom from Want”
25-26 April, 2005
Mr. Chairman,
The Marshall Islands welcomes this opportunity to discuss Cluster One issues, as covered
in section II of the Secretary-General’s report, “Freedom from want”. We associate
ourselves with the comments already made by the Group of 77.
The issues covered in Cluster One – regarding development, poverty alleviation and
environmental sustainability - should remain the central focus of the UN’s agenda. The
Marshall Islands delegation is generally supportive of the proposals made by the
Secretary-General on these issues. We wish to make brief comments on a few specific
topics.
Implementation:
As previously expressed by the Group of 77, the main focus of the Summit should not be
formulating new commitments, but identifying concrete measures to ensure
implementation of the commitments already made at the major UN summits and
conferences. This will require a range of actions, including mobilization of additional
financial resources, increased debt relief, technology transfer, and capacity building.
Development and the MDGs:
We agree with the Secretary-General that “development, security and human rights go
hand in hand”, and are all mutually reinforcing. However, while recognizing the
inextricable links between these areas, development must be viewed and addressed as an
issue in its own right, not merely as an aspect of achieving international security.
The Marshall Islands reaffirms its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.
We do, however, believe that the international community must continue to address the
broader spectrum of development challenges currently being faced by developing
countries. The MDG targets cannot always be applied in a “one size fits all” manner, but
will be most effective when adapted according to local conditions and needs. In
particular, the special needs of distinct groups of countries must be taken into account, as
recognized by MDG number 8, which includes a specific goal of addressing the special
needs of small island developing States and landlocked developing countries.
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In this context, we wish to reiterate the need for further assistance from the UN system to
help national governments of developing countries with their development challenges,
which include meeting the MDGs. In particular, we support the views expressed by Palau
at the general consultations on 6th April regarding the need for the UN to post staff
members in developing country Member States that currently have no national UN
presence, and are forced to rely on support from remote regional offices.
We also wish to emphasize the importance of education in the development process. It is
only through better education that we will be able to enhance the quality of our human
resource base, which is a vital element in allowing us to devise and implement
appropriate long term sustainable development strategies. We welcome the SecretaryGeneral’s inclusion of education as one of the seven broad clusters of public investments
and policies that should be covered in national development strategies. We hope that the
Summit will address the need to improve educational quality through enhancing human
resources and infrastructure capacity; and that it will also identify practical actions aimed
at increasing school attendance, ensuring higher retention of students, and improving the
quality of teaching staff and resources.
SIDS:
Our major concern regarding the Secretary-General’s report is its lack of focus on the
unique challenges faced by small island developing States (SIDS). In this regard, we
must reflect on the mandate that was agreed upon for the Summit, which includes two
main tasks: reviewing progress in achieving the MDGs; and reviewing implementation of
the outcomes and commitments of the major UN conferences and summits.
With regard to reviewing progress with the MDGs, one of the goals includes a specific
target aimed at addressing the special needs of SIDS. And with regard to reviewing
implementation of the outcomes of the major UN conferences, we wish to recall two of
those conferences: the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of SIDS, held
in Barbados in 1994; and the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS, held in Mauritius earlier
this year.
We were disappointed that the Secretary-General’s report did not mention either of these
conferences or their outcomes, in particular the Mauritius Strategy, which sets out a range
of agreed practical actions that will assist SIDS in meeting their unique sustainable
development challenges, and will also bolster their prospects for achieving the MDGs.
The Marshall Islands reiterates the view previously expressed by the Pacific Islands
Forum group and AOSIS that the Summit outcome should recognize the special needs
and circumstances of SIDS and their unique vulnerabilities to environmental, economic
and social forces. It should also reaffirm the Mauritius Strategy, and call on all relevant
stakeholders to implement the Strategy and the commitments contained therein.
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Climate change:
One of the most critical challenges facing the international community is climate change.
We were pleased that the Secretary-General’s report recognized that SIDS are among the
countries most vulnerable to climate change, are least able to protect themselves, and
contribute least to global emissions of greenhouse gases. As stated by the SecretaryGeneral, “Without action, they will pay a bitter price for the actions of others.”
The Summit outcome must decisively address this vital issue. We support the SecretaryGeneral’s call for leaders to agree to develop an international framework for climate
change that will extend beyond 2012, with broader participation by all major emitters.
We also strongly support the Secretary-General’s recognition that, as agreed in
Johannesburg, the primary responsibility for mitigating climate change must lie with
those countries that contribute most to the problem.
On a related note, we support the Secretary-General’s proposal to establish a worldwide
early warning system for all natural hazards. In addition, the Summit should address the
need for support to assist SIDS in developing capacity for disaster preparedness and risk
reduction. While we recognize that the responsibility for implementing disaster
preparedness and mitigation measures is primarily a national one, many SIDS will not be
able to meet this responsibility without increased regional cooperation and technical and
financial support from the international community.
Research and development:
The Marshall Islands supports the proposal made by both the Secretary-General and the
Millennium Project regarding the need for a significant increase in international support
for scientific research and development to address the special needs of the poor in the
areas of health, agriculture, natural resource and environmental management, energy and
climate. We particularly welcome the Secretary-General’s call for a substantial increase
in research and development funding for renewable energy sources, carbon management
and energy efficiency.
We are concerned, however, that the Secretary-General’s report has not adequately
addressed the need in developing countries, especially SIDS, for access to appropriate
technologies. The Summit outcome should reaffirm the need for increased technology
transfer, technical cooperation and capacity building efforts.
ODA:
Regarding official development assistance, my delegation strongly supports the
recommendation made in all three reports (by the Secretary-General, the Millennium
Project, and the High Level Panel), that developed countries that have not yet done so
should establish concrete timetables to achieve the target of dedicating 0.7% of gross
national income for ODA by no later than 2015. We also support the establishment of an
International Financing Facility, the development of other innovative sources of
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financing for development, and the need for increased donor coordination and aid
effectiveness.
Mr. Chairman, these are the views of the Marshall Islands on some specific areas of
concern. We look forward to working with you and other delegations in this ongoing
process.
Thank you.
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