SOLOMON ISLANDS

STATEMENT

BY

MR. JEREMIAH MANELE

CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AD INTERIM AND

CHAIRMAN OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS DELEGATION

TO THE

UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM SUMMIT

7 SEPTEMBER 2000, NEW YORK

PERMANENT MISSION OF SOLOMON ISLANDS TO THE UNITED NATIONS

800 Second Avenue, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017-4709 - Tel.: (212) 599-6192 - Fax: (212) 661-8925

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, the Honourable Manasseh Sogavare.

The maintenance of international peace and security must remain a major role for the United Nations in the twenty-first century. The world entered the new millennium with increasing conflicts, in particular internal conflicts and wars. My country has fallen victim to this trend. The crises of the past twenty months have tested the solidarity, security and stability of our young country. It has exposed the real challenges of ethnic differences that exist and can persist in a culturally rich and diverse society such as ours. To resolve the crises, my government has launched a National Peace Plan and a Programme of Action aimed at achieving a peaceful solution to the unrest through meaningful dialogue and discussion and at developing the country on the basis of a number of principles including; the rule of taw, equitable sharing and active participation by our people in the sustainable development of our national resources, respect for human rights and promotion of and respect for our different cultural traditions, and a gender-balanced approach to education and employment.

A Cease-fire Agreement was signed by the conflicting parties on 3 August 2000. This agreement provides an environment conducive for Peace Talks to proceed. Preliminary peace negotiations have been undertaken and the actual peace talks are currently underway. My government is therefore firmly committed to ensuring peace and security for all our citizens, foreign friends and visitors. We are equally determined to rebuild our economy and welcome those who wish to assist in this endeavour. In this regard may I call on our development partners to adopt a more positive attitude towards my government's genuine attempts to restore taw and order, thus ensuring peace, security, and stability. During this difficult period Solomon Islands, where appropriate, needs your assistance.

Mr. President;

While access to information technology could be the most rapid means to utilize the benefits of globalization and to reduce the development gap between developed and developing countries, for least developed countries like Solomon Islands, the process must begin with infrastructure development. Of particular importance, is the development of a reliable and efficient energy sector. Without electricity, access to information and communication technology wit[ remain a distant possibility for our rural communities. The need for intellectual capacity to harness the opportunities of the information age is a key prerequisite for closing the digital divide. Education including the eradication of illiteracy therefore remain a priority for Solomon Islands. Above at[, the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, next year, must adopt an outcome that can produce a real and measurable difference in the lives of the world's poor.

Mr. President;

Solomon Islands joins those who spoke earlier in stressing the importance of sustaining the future of our planet. Agenda 21 and the related international programs of action and conventions remain valid blueprints for sustainable development and environmental management in the twenty-first century. We fully endorse the Secretary- General's recommendations on how to address the issues of climate change and environmental degradation including marine pollution. We must not take for granted the concerns and needs of the most vulnerable members of our Organization - the small island developing states.

Only a reformed, inclusive, and universal United Nations can effectively shoulder the major responsibilities placed on it. Flexibility and greater understanding should be demonstrated towards those who wish to participate in the work and activities of our Organization. The Republic of China on Taiwan is a case in point. As well, those member States who are capable and prepared to play a greater role in the Security Council, including Germany and Japan, should be accorded permanent membership. Concrete efforts should now be made on reaching agreement on the outstanding issues of Security Council reform.

Finally, Mr. President, we have just parted from a century of sorrow which has seen two World Wars, one of which affected our islands, and countless other conflicts causing sorrow and suffering; a century defined by a culture of violence and intolerance. As we begin the twenty-first century, let us work towards making it a century of harmony; a century defined by a culture of peace and tolerance, dialogue and discussion, and prosperity for all of humanity.

I thank you, Mr. President.