Statement

By

H. E. Mr. Ramdien Sardjoe

Vice President
of the Republic of Suriname

ON THE
OCCASION OF THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE
64™ SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

New York, 25 September 2009

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Your Excellency Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the General Assembly
Your Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of my delegation I congratulate you on your election as President of the Sixty-

fourth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. I am sure that your
wisdom and experience will guide us as we address the challenges on the global agenda.

I would like to acknowledge the important work of your predecessor His Excellency,
Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, He has led the Assembly's Sixty-third session through
complex discussions and extensive consultations guided by 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.

RESPONDING TO GLOBAL CRISES THROUGH EFFECTIVE

MULTILATERALISM

Mr.President,

The world continues to face many challenges, both traditional and new ones. 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.

The 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 for effective multilateralism not as an option but as a mere
necessity.
In this regard we deem it indispensable for the United Nations to continue with the
reform efforts of the Organization. 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 bi-regional endeavors to strengthen

political, economic, cultural and social cooperation and integration.

I would like to commend and emphasize the role of the United Nations as an effective
instrument, in advancing multilateralism by strengthening its consultation and
coordination with regional organizations.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Mr. President,

The urgency of the threat posed by climate change requires the same multilateral
engagement, as demonstrated hi areas as broad as:
• the fight against the uncontrolled spread of illicit small arms and light weapons
• the fight against international terrorism
• fflV/AIDS
• peacekeeping and peace building
• the advancement of women
• and human rights.

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 commitments necessary to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in
appropriate quantities and support to adaptation in developing countries. Countries that
are historically responsible for the emission of the current amount of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere should take the lead in this regard.

In the spirit of common but differentiated responsibilities, we look forward to appropriate

mitigation efforts of developing countries. As a High Forest Low Deforestation country,
Suriname will continue to undertake efforts to manage its forests sustainably. Through
this we aim to keep and improve the climate stabilizing value of our standing forest.
We attach great importance to the inclusion of a nature forest carbon mitigation regime
that provides positive incentives to HELD 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 to 25 billion Euros were available
for the 2010-2015 period for REDD+ efforts, a 25 per cent reduction in annual global
deforestation rates is achievable by 2015.

In this regard we call upon institutions and fellow member states to support UN REDD+
in recognition of the beneficial potential of tropical forests in mitigating climate change.

SURINAME AND THE DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILIZATIONS

Mr. President,

Suriname has emphasized its support for the promotion of dialogue among civilizations
and the culture of peace on various international fora. In particular through the full
implementation of the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, Program of
Action as well as the Declaration and Program of Action on Culture of Peace.

Our democracy could serve as an illustration of our quest for peace, security and
development. Various ethnic groups with different multi-cultural background 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
with 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.

EDUCATION

The Secretary General recently emphasized the importance of education for development.
Education has always been the foundation for economic opportunity and prosperity.
Knowledge and advanced skills are critical tools to enhance every country's economic
potential, growth and standard of living.
This is why we have to join efforts in improving the capacity of countries to adopt,
disseminate and maximize technological advances. Improved international cooperation
towards 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.

HUMAN RIGHTS/INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

The promotion and protection of human rights are amongst the most effective strategies
for eliminating inequalities between social groups and within and between countries.
Consequently Suriname remains committed to the promotion and protection of all human
rights.

With regard to what is famously called "the supreme international crime " namely, "the
crime of aggression", Suriname expresses the hope that a decision on the elements of
crime will be promptly taken. The upcoming Review Conference of the Rome Statute of
the International Criminal Court to be held in Uganda next year should therefore
seriously address this issue.

CLOSURE

Mr. President,

For over sixty years the United Nations was able to build confidence and understanding
between member states and help keep global peace.

My delegation reiterates its commitment towards 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.

Thank you Mr. President.