General Assembly: general debate

Note: A complete summary of today's General Assembly general debate will be made available after its conclusion.

Statements

NAFTALI BENNETT, Prime Minister of Israel, warned that two plagues challenging society today - the coronavirus and political polarization - were capable of eroding public trust in institutions and paralysing nations. "In a polarized world, where algorithms fuel our anger, people on the right and on the left operate in two separate realities, each in their own social media bubble; they hear only the voices that confirm what they already believe in," he pointed out. In that context, he underscored that the new Government recently formed in Israel is the most diverse in its history. "It's okay to disagree, it's okay - in fact vital - that different people think differently, it's even okay to argue," he stated.

Turning to Israel's COVID-19 response, he reported that the Government recently asked Israeli families to carry out home-testing for children so that schools can remain open. He also outlined his country's vaccine roll‑out activities, recalling that Israelis were among the quickest in the world to get vaccinated and are gearing up to receive a booster shot. As a result, Israel's economy is growing and unemployment is down.

However, Israel cannot lose sight of what is happening in the region, he continued. It is surrounded by Hizbullah, Shia militias, Islamic Jihad and Hamas. All have in common the desire to destroy Israel, with backing from Iran. Indeed, Iran seeks to dominate the region under a nuclear umbrella. It has tried to spread carnage throughout the region in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Gaza, all of which are falling apart. Moreover, it has recently made operational a new deadly terror unit made up of swarms of killer unmanned aerial vehicles, outfitted with lethal weapons that can attack any place, any time. Iran's nuclear weapon programme is at a critical point, he stressed, warning that all red lines have been crossed and inspections ignored.

Nevertheless, there are reasons for hope, he said. First and foremost are the growing ties Israel is forging with Arab and Muslim countries. Those ties began 42 years ago with Israel's historic peace agreement with Egypt and continues today with the Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel's relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.

Highlighting Israel's enhanced relations with allies in the region and beyond, he recalled that such efforts manifested themselves last week with the defeat of the racist, anti-Semitic Durban conference, when 38 countries choose to skip the conference. "Fighting the only democracy in the Middle East doesn't make you 'woke'," he said, adding that adopting clichés about Israel without bothering to learn the basic facts was "plain lazy".

VLADIMIR MAKEI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus, said that global security threats were on the rise, due to hybrid wars and criminal use of modern information technologies which fuel extremism and terrorism. Extending his Government's full support for the work of the World Health Organization (WHO), he warned against politicizing the pandemic. Highlighting that 2021 celebrates the eightieth anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, he said he regretted seeing dangerous trends of skewing the moral and legal assessments of that war's outcomes. Thus, Belarus adopted a new law foreseeing criminal accountability for the rehabilitation of Nazism, he announced.

"Today Belarus is the subject of a large-scale hybrid war," he went on to say, accusing Western countries of exerting pressure on his nation for choosing a path towards a strong sovereign and prosperous State. The West had fabricated a conflict with refugees on the western border of Belarus in order to justify its destructive actions against his country. Moreover, the European Union did not respond to his country's long overdue proposal to hold high-level consultations on illegal migration and the Union's partners stopped funding all projects pertaining to the fight against illegal migration. Despite this, Belarus remained committed to a policy of good neighborliness, he emphasized, noting that his country had always been on the front line of the fight against trafficking in human beings, both nationally and internationally.

Warning that human rights has become "a real weapon against undesirable and disobedient countries" in the hands of shortsighted politicians, he stressed that attempts to impose democracy from outside often lead to chaos and instability. Unilateral restrictive measures, which violate international law and inflict serious damage on international relations, have become another "favorite toy of Western States". He expressed his solidarity with other countries suffering from sanctions that undermine development of private initiatives, reduce educational opportunities and threaten food security. All financial and economic sanctions should be outlawed as an instrument of political pressure. In addition, some Member States reinterpret the work and practices of the General Assembly by promoting the voices of civil society at this high-level platform. "This is categorically unacceptable," he said, recalling the key principle of the United Nations work of "one State, one vote". Civil society representatives would drown the views of independent States and make it harder to achieve consensus. Citing Martin Luther King, he urged the international community to "live together as brothers or perish together as fools".

AHMED AWAD AHMED BINMUBARAK, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Yemen, said that his country has endured seven years of hardship due to a war forced upon its people by the Houthi militia. That group is supported by Iran, which remains part of the problem rather than part of the solution. Since the Houthi coup, Yemenis have experienced oppression, the suffocation of public freedoms and the torture of its citizens. Sana'a, a centre of civilization, has become a huge prison camp. He commended the efforts of the United Nations, welcomed the appointment of the Secretary-General's new Special Envoy for Yemen and reiterated his Government's full cooperation in efforts to achieve a fair and sustainable peace.

He went on to say that the Government made many compromises and agreed to all proposals to end the Houthi coup, including those made by the previous Special Envoy and by Saudi Arabia, which were based on a comprehensive ceasefire. However, those initiatives were met by intransigence on the part of the Houthis and their Iranian patrons. He drew attention to the scale of the humanitarian crisis; the fighting now under way in Marib city, with the Houthis attacking with indifference to civilians and displaced persons; the extrajudicial execution of nine people, including a minor, on 18 September, in a manner reminiscent of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh); and the plight of thousands of politicians, activists and journalists being held in dungeons.

More pressure must be put on the Houthis to put all the money they have pillaged, including through taxes and customs fees, into the Central Bank, he continued. The international community should direct aid money through the Central Bank, thus supporting the economy and halting the devaluation of the Yemeni currency. As well, development needs and priorities should be mainstreamed into all humanitarian activity to spur an early recovery. He expressed thanks for the 1 million vaccine doses Yemen has received so far, including through the COVAX Facility, but warned that that quantity falls well short of expectations. He also called on the international community to avert the catastrophe that might result from an oil spill from the FSO Safer, as the Houthis continue to deny a team of United Nations experts access to that oil storage tanker in the Red Sea.

KHALIFA SHAHEEN ALMARAR, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, stressed that regional interference in Arab affairs, especially in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Iraq, must halt, adding that ensuring full respect for the sovereignty of Arab countries and reaching comprehensive political solutions under the auspices of the United Nations remain the only way to end the crises in the region. Calling for a comprehensive political solution that includes a ceasefire to achieve peace and stability in Yemen and neighbouring countries, he emphasized that stability in the region also requires ending the occupation of all Palestinian and Arab territories. In that regard, he commended the Abraham Accords signed by Israel, United Arab Emirates and the United States last year.

He highlighted the continued recruitment of young people by extremist and terrorist groups, which had been particularly exacerbated by the pandemic. There was also a need to protect the security of energy supplies, freedom of navigation and trade routes while working on de-escalation. "Similarly, we must ensure that the Middle East is a region free of weapons of mass destruction," he continued, drawing attention to Iran's development of nuclear and ballistic‑missile programmes. In addition, Iran must end its occupation of three islands - Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa - and agree to resolve this dispute through direct negotiations or referral to the International Court of Justice.

Stressing the urgent need to strengthen security and stability in Afghanistan, ensure secure access of humanitarian assistance and preserve human rights, he also underlined the importance of maintaining security and stability in Africa, countering hate speech and ensuring women and youth actively participate in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Looking forward to the twenty‑sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), he stated that his country seeks to host the Conference in 2023 and to bid for the non-permanent member of the Security Council for the term 2022-2023.

FAYSSAL MEKDAD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria, said the pandemic revealed both human solidarity and a sinister push to settle political scores, accuse other countries of creating the virus and continue imposing sanctions. On a national level, Syria's fight against terrorism remains a challenge as some States continue to support terrorist groups. Syria has positively engaged in the Astana process, despite Turkey's support for terrorist organizations, he noted, emphasizing that any foreign presence on its territory violates the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Warning against harbouring illusions of secession in north-east Syria, he said the Government remains open to all genuine political initiatives aimed at helping to overcome the crisis. Syria's doors remain wide open for the voluntary return of all refugees and the Government is making efforts to address humanitarian issues. However, humanitarian action in Syria must fully respect its national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, he stated.

Highlighting other issues, he condemned the use of chemical weapons, underscoring that his country was cooperating with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on outstanding matters. Syria also remains firmly committed to fully recover the occupied Syrian Golan, he said, adding that Israel must be held accountable for its violations. Calling for an end to Israel's war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory, he said that Syria holds countries supporting Israel responsible for these acts.

He also expressed concerns about United States actions against several countries, voicing full support for Iran in the face of illegal measures against it and condemning the militarization of the Korean Peninsula, the Cuba embargo and unilateral sanctions targeting Belarus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Syria and Venezuela. The international community must promote dialogue and understanding among States based on mutual respect in order to build a new more balanced, democratic and just world order, he said.

GUDLAUGUR THÓR THÓRDARSON, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation of Iceland, expressed his regret that, around the world, calls for human rights, peace and stability were too often ignored, while the threat of climate change intensified. "To build a more just and peaceful planet for all of us, we need all nations united, our United Nations," he said. Pointing to the urgent need to ensure a fast reach of vaccines to countries around the world, he noted that his Government contributed ISK 1 billion to the COVAX initiative and started vaccine sharing through the same mechanism.

While the consequences of the pandemic were disastrous around the world, he warned the effects of climate change were bound to be even worse. Looking ahead to COP26, he said States should honor their commitments to the Paris Agreement. Iceland aimed to reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions by more than half by 2030, become carbon‑neutral by 2040 and fossil-fuel‑free by 2050, among other initiatives. He urged high-income countries to support lower‑income ones to advance their climate ambitions, highlighting that his country's main contribution was focused on exchange of knowledge and experience in the use of green energy solutions. As well, the health of the world oceans was under pressure and concrete steps were needed to ensure stronger regional and international cooperation on ocean affairs, he said, citing recent gains made in this regard by the Arctic Council.

Turning to the Sustainable Development Goals, he said his Government involved private sector partners and civil society in the development and humanitarian work. He also highlighted the importance of gender equality for economic and social progress. Lack of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms often leads to conflicts, humanitarian and political crises, he said, pointing to the recent military coup in Myanmar and the situation in Afghanistan. The Taliban and other parties must respect international law, seek an inclusive political settlement, and ensure humanitarian access and safe passage for all, or else be held accountable. Announcing that Iceland will run for a seat on the Human Rights Council for the term 2025-2027, he added that the complexity of modern conflicts and crises continues to grow with the marriage of emerging factors, including climate change, cyberthreats and disinformation. The Security Council needed to act with greater foresight based on a broader view of security. "We need more transparency and openness within the United Nations system and among Member States," he said stressing the need to bring the United Nations closer to the people of the world.

RAMTANE LAMAMRA, Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of Algeria, said that despite its many challenges, the pandemic offered an opportunity to repair the mistakes of the past. These included reforming the United Nations system to strengthen its ability to fulfil its various mandates and revitalizing the General Assembly. In addition, the Security Council needed to be reformed to ensure equitable geographic representation. He also called for reforms to redress the historical injustice suffered by the African continent. Deeply concerned about the lack of prospects for a just and final solution to the Palestinian question, he condemned the repressive practices of the Israeli occupation and its denial of international law. He urged the Security Council to assume its responsibilities by allowing the Palestinian people to establish an independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On the matter of the Western Sahara, he reaffirmed his Government's support for the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. He called on the United Nations to assume its legal responsibilities towards the Sahrawi people and guarantee their inalienable rights. He also called for a free and fair referendum, stating that the occupying State has repeatedly failed to meet its international obligations. The fate of Western Sahara is a question of decolonization, he stressed, adding his support for the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to launch direct negotiations between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Regarding the situation in Libya, he voiced his opposition to unilateral coercive measures. Algeria was ready to continue its efforts to organize a national reconciliation, he stated. Further, in Mali, his Government was determined to continue to support the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement Committee resulting from the Algiers process. He welcomed the progress made, despite the spread of the terrorist threats in Mali and throughout the Sahel. On the domestic front, he announced that his Government continues to consolidate its democracy, enshrining the rule of law and social justice, through the amendment of the Constitution and the holding of legislative elections.

OLIVER JOSEPH, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs of Grenada, said that the pandemic disrupted the Grenadian economy, which contracted by 13.7 per cent in 2020 after an upward trajectory since 2013. Unemployment rose from a record low of 15.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 28.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2020, with 14,000 jobs being lost as a direct consequence of the pandemic. Tourism and air transport were among the sectors experiencing the most stark declines.

He highlighted the need to address his country's reclassification status by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistant Committee, which resulted in the marginalization of development assistance to the region. In that regard, support was needed from international organizations, including the United Nations, in the dismantling of unfair rulings. He urged that a multidimensional vulnerability index be created by 2022 that adequately addresses the vulnerability of Caribbean States, in addition to the economic data, such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

Stressing the need to regain access to concessional financing, he noted that, like many small island developing States, Grenada faces extreme risks in the agriculture sector, which affect its food security, main export crops, fruit crops, forestry, livestock and fisheries. To reduce these impacts, Grenada has been implementing climate-smart agriculture and adopted a blue growth agenda to sustainably utilize its vast maritime resources. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, his country also advocated for the One Health agenda at a global level to promote the link between well-being, prosperity and a healthy environment, he said.

OSMAN SALEH MOHAMMED, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Eritrea, speaking on behalf of President Isaias Afwerki, said that the global community is facing triple challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and growing international rivalry. "All of us must climb down from our high horses and ponder on these issues in a holistic manner," he said, describing the theme for the seventy-sixth General Assembly as apt and optimistic. Today's global challenges call for a stronger United Nations that is more representative, transparent and effective. Therefore, the international community must strengthen and revamp the United Nations system. Multilateral institutions have been rendered impotent, due to the unilateral actions of a select few, he noted.

Turning to issues of border dispute and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, he said that acrimonious and internationalized forums will likely hinder an enduring and comprehensive arrangement that addresses the requirements of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt. The Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship had ushered in a new epoch of hope, but the Tigray People's Liberation Front was not accepting the present realities. While in power in Ethiopia, they continued to occupy sovereign Eritrean territories in violation of international law and the Arbitral Award of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission.

They were continuing to wage intermittent assaults against Eritrea to provoke a major war, he continued, adding that it was inexcusable that the United States and its European allies were defending the Front's illicit and dangerous acts. False narratives have created moral equivalence between the principal culprit and those compelled to take deterrent action warranted by international law. This situation underlines the structural inadequacy of the global governance system, he pointed out, stressing: "The injustices meted on Eritrea by powers who feel they can trample the sovereignty of nations and peoples at their whim must come to an end."

ABDULLATIF BIN RASHID AL ZAYANI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need to continue international cooperation. Bahrain's efforts to mitigate the effects of the virus included providing more than 2.5 million doses to its population free of charge and rolling out a $12 billion economic stimulus. He also noted that the pandemic had strengthened Bahrain's ties to WHO.

Turning to human rights, he highlighted Bahrain's ongoing work with the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the recent signing of a declaration of intent with the resident country coordinator to contribute to the national human rights plan and initiatives for women in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In addition, Bahrain maintained its Tier 1 status in the United States' annual Trafficking in Persons Report for the fourth consecutive year. He also noted that Bahrain was looking forward to the forthcoming COP26 in Glasgow. Pointing to his country's efforts to increase its share of renewable energy, he expressed his support to the Saudi Green and the Green Middle East Initiatives.

He went on to say that the recent Al Ula Summit Declaration would promote greater cooperation among member States. Similarly, the signing of the declaration in support of peace with Israel would aim to consolidate peace in the region. He called on the international community to find a solution for the Palestinian people by establishing an independent State with East Jerusalem as the capital in accordance with the two-State solution, resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. As well, a political solution was needed regarding several conflicts, including the Renaissance Dam to preserve water rights for Egypt and Sudan; Libya and its territorial integrity; and Morocco and the situation in West Sahara, to name a few. Also calling for the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East region, he praised efforts aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring the ability to develop nuclear weapons.

LUCA BECCARI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of San Marino, underscoring that his country experienced one of the highest rates of mortality in the world from the pandemic, said that the virus had been contained by the Government putting policies in place, based in equity. These efforts were aided by "an extraordinary sense of solidarity" by the people of San Marino and the support of other countries. However, the closing of borders and the lack of freedom of movement was a serious issue, he said, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation to address global challenges.

Turning to the situation in Afghanistan, he underscored the need for the United Nations humanitarian assistance to have unhindered access and reiterated his support for Security Council resolution 2593 (2021). He also expressed his concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and advocated for a new treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. The pandemic endangered the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, he noted, underlining that "the crisis should not hinder our ambitions and hopes". To that end, San Marino had its first voluntary national review in July. Climate change was jeopardizing global food security, water supplies and livelihoods. Small island developing States in the Pacific were among the first ones to witness these effects. Implementing the Paris Agreement through investments in climate resilience must be a priority.

"San Marino attached great importance to the promotion and protection of rights for people with disabilities," he continued, praising the recognition of the guidance on triage produced by the Bioethics Committee of San Marino by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Building accessible, inclusive and non-discriminatory societies was a priority for his country. Pointing to new global challenges, he expressed his support for the reform of the United Nations. "The revitalization process of the General Assembly must continue to be a reference point," he stressed. He also called for a reform of the Security Council to make it more democratic, transparent, efficient and accountable. These reforms would strengthen the United Nations mandate by adding efficiency and flexibility.

SAYYID BADR BIN HAMAD BIN HAMOOD ALBUSAIDI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Oman, said that, in his country, the uptake of preventative measures and the availability of COVID-19 vaccines helped strengthen a response to the pandemic and facilitate a gradual return to normal life. Urging the international community to enhance cooperation and solidarity, he appealed to vaccine-producing and donor countries to do their utmost to ensure a fair distribution for all countries and individuals, particularly in less developed regions with limited facilities and medical capabilities. Noting that Oman adheres to several key principles in its foreign policy - especially good neighbourliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of others, respect for international laws and norms, and support for dialogue - he said it also strives to contribute to peace in all regions of the world.

Turning to regional matters, he welcomed the positive developments stemming from the recent Al-Ula summit in Saudi Arabia, as well as successful reconciliation efforts led by Kuwait. He also reaffirmed Oman's support for the demands of the Palestinians for independence and the establishment of a State with East Jerusalem as its capital. On the crisis in Yemen, he said Oman is working with both the United Nations and the United States envoys, with the aim of ending the war through a comprehensive, permanent ceasefire on all sides and the full resumption of humanitarian efforts. In particular, he underlined the need for medication, health care, food, fuel and housing. Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, he expressed his hope that talks in Vienna will lead to desired consensus among all parties, while on Afghanistan, he voiced his expectation that the parties will give highest priority to the needs and aspirations of the country's people.

Condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, he called for efforts to end threats to international maritime trade, as well as full compliance with treaties, agreements and international law to ensure freedom of maritime navigation. Member States should fulfil their treaty commitments, in particular those relating to nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, in order to ensure global stability. He also noted that the road to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals remains "long and bumpy" and requires international cooperation. Expressing support for investment and economic diversification programmes, which his country and others are undertaking, he highlighted women's crucial role in those efforts. In addition, more was needed to build a "social fabric that ensures the sound education of young people, on whom the hopes of nations are held," he said.

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