LSAJ

First, let me express, on behalf of the Lao PDR Delegation, my
heartfelt congratulations to you, a veteran diplomat of Nicaragua on
your election as President of the 63rd Session of the UN General
Assembly. I trust that with you at the Presidency, the work of the
General Assembly is in good hands.  I would also like to commend H.E.
Srgjan Kerim for the effective manner in which he presided over our
work during the previous session.

Mr. President,

The Lao PDR is of the belief that the United Nations remains an
important and preeminent forum for addressing issues relating to
international cooperation for economic development, peace and
security, and human rights and the rule of law, based on dialogue,
cooperation and consensus-building amongst States. For over half a
century, the UN has played a crucial role in maintaining international
peace and security and promoting the socio-economic advancement of
member States, especially developing countries. Yet, as the world
situation evolves ever more complex and unpredictable, the UN
increasingly needs more robust and effective institutions. In our
opinion, the UN reform must be comprehensive, transparent, inclusive
and balanced and pursued in an effective and accountable manner. We
must strengthen the role and authority of the General Assembly,
including in questions related to international peace and security, as
the chief deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the
UN. We must revitalize its work which must be guided by the principles
of democracy, transparency and accountability. We must also reform the
Security Council, turning it into a more democratic and representative
organ, comprising both new permanent and non permanent members in
order to enable it to better preserve and promote international peace
and security. No less important, we must substantially reinforce the
development pillars of the UN, which include the Department of
Economic and Social Affairs, UNCTAD, Regional Commissions and the
Development Account, enabling them to better support developing
countries to achieve internationally agreed development goals, on the
basis of their national development strategies.

In this context, we commend Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s reform
efforts aimed at transforming the UN into a more responsive, dynamic,
multi-functional and effective organization. The Secretary-General’s
personal dedicated engagement for the cause of peace as well as his
endeavours in search for solutions to the three global crises of
finance, fuel and food deserve special recognition.

Mr. President,

The current difficult and complex situation in the field of
disarmament continues to be a cause of concern. We recognize the
threat posed by the permanent existence of nuclear weapons and the
possible use or threat to use them. It is hence incumbent upon the
nuclear States to honour their unequivocal commitment to work towards
the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Renewed efforts are needed
to resolve the impasse in achieving nuclear disarmament and non-
proliferation in all its aspects.

Mr. President,

While globalization brings with it numerous opportunities for economic
development, the obstacles that the world faces deserve significant
attention. Developing countries, in particular the most vulnerable
groups, namely the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked
developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states
(SIDS), have taken important steps to further integrate themselves
into the global economy. Nevertheless, these countries remain
beleaguered by poor-quality basic infrastructure, limited access to
markets, capital, new technology, and low supply of finance and
investment.

The sudden increase in oil and food prices has led to a period of
economic instability in many countries. However, this global
phenomenon has had a more amplified impact on developing countries,
given their particular low financial and technical capacities to deal
with sudden international shocks. To combat this problem, we stress
the need for the full and effective implementation of the Rome
Declaration and the establishment of a Global Food Bank and an
International Food Fund to ensure long-term food security for
developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable among them. In
addition, the great untapped potential of these countries should be
explored and exploited to the maximum extent, through increased
investment and technology transfer by developed countries and other
development partners for mutual benefit. We also emphasize that global
energy policies should aim to support the efforts of developing
countries, in particular LDCs to purge poverty and achieve sustainable
development.

Thus, if developing countries are to be able to benefit truly from
globalization, the international community must create a favorable
environment that is conducive to development, whereby the interests of
developing countries can be tangibly promoted. Therefore, grant aid
and soft loans should be increased, appropriate measures to address
the instability and weakness of commodity markets be undertaken,
special and preferential tariffs for exports from developing
countries, in particular from the most vulnerable groups among them be
granted, debt sustainability be achieved, mechanism for technology
transfers be improved and international financial architecture be
reformed.

Mr. President,

The goal of achieving peace and prosperity remains the highest
priority of the international community. Yet, this goal remains
impeded by interstate conflict, terror, and unlawful unilateral
sanctions and interventions. We are greatly distressed by the
persistent conflict that has plagued the lives of the peoples of the
Middle East for decades, particularly the Palestinian people who have
been fighting for the exercise of their right to self-determination
and Statehood. We are deeply saddened by the number of casualties and
material damage inflicted upon the nations of Iraq and Afghanistan.
And we remain troubled by the embargo that has been imposed on the
Republic of Cuba by the Government of the United States of America, an
act that is clearly not legally warranted and does not respond to the
legitimate interests of the peoples of both nations. In this regard,
the Lao PDR sincerely urges the parties concerned in the
aforementioned conflicts to seek ways to peacefully resolve their
differences. It is our fervent hope that the peoples living in these
conflict-ridden areas could enjoy peace and prosperity as swiftly as
possible.

Mr. President,

Unlike most calamities, global warming affects not only the livelihood
of every being on the planet but also the course of human history.
Climate change will become all the more worrisome, as it leads to many
other social and economic problems that our world faces today. That is
why there is a need for immediate global action to address climate
change in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities. In formulating policies confronting climate change,
we should promote the integration of all three components of
sustainable development that is economic development, social
development, and environmental protection. In this respect, we call
for the full implementation of the Bali Roadmap.

As widely expressed at the Millennium Development Goals High-level
Event, the lack of effective implementation of the Internationally
Agreed Development Goals (IADGs), including the MDGs remains a deep
concern. Therefore, the highest priority should be given to securing
the effective and full implementation of the agreed goals and
commitments. In this context, we underscore the urgency to address the
special needs of LDCs and LLDCs through the full, timely and effective
implementation by all stakeholders of the Brussels Programme of Action
and the Almaty Programme of Action, as called for in the 2005 World
Summit Outcome.

Landlocked developing countries face a unique impediment in not having
access to the sea. International cooperation is crucial to the success
of the development goals of these    countries. We therefore would
like to stress the significance of the upcoming mid-term review of the
Almaty Program of Action to be held on 2 and 3 October 2008 here in
New York which should provide the international community with the
opportunity to assess progress made, lessons learned, and constraints
encountered in the implementation of the Almaty Program of Action. We
hope that the session will galvanize the global partnership for
development to assist landlocked developing countries in not only
strengthening their effective participation in international trade and
the world economy, but also in fulfilling the goals of internationally
agreed development goals.

Mr. President,

Being a member country, Lao PDR is gratified to witness the continued
stability, growing from strength to strength and deepening integration
of ASEAN which is an important contribution to the maintenance of
peace and further cooperation in the region and the world.  A recent
momentous and milestone event is the signing of the ASEAN Charter thus
transforming ASEAN into a rule-based regional organization.

The Lao PDR continues to enjoy solid political stability and social
order. Thus,  our socio-economic development has registered
significant achievements as reflected in high and sustained GDP
growth . Notwithstanding these achievements, the Lao PDR still faces
impediments. Rising oil prices, inflation and a global economic
slowdown all stand in the way of our path to economic prosperity. This
year, we are also experiencing a severe flood, inflicting huge
material loss nationwide. Yet, in spite of all this, by improving the
quality of basic infrastructure, human resources and cooperating with
international partners, we are determined to pursue our twin
strategies of poverty eradication and regional integration. At this
pace, we hope to extricate our ...


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