on "THE AGENDA FOR DEVELOPMENT"

(Agenda Item 92)

49th Session of the General Assembly
United Nations

21 November 1994
New York

Mr. President,

Allow me to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his important report on an Agenda for Development. This topic will likely determine the fate of the world: Will we descend deeper into the spiral of world disorder, wars, genocide and human suffering, or will we shape a better future for all people?

Many factors will contribute: Religious and tribal fanaticism, national psyches scarred by past traumas, totalitarian regimes, selfish interests and more. All these might play a negative part in determining the future of human society in the next century. But a decisive positive role can be played by economic, social, scientific and technological progress.

Current trends give cause for concern:

- World population is expanding at a dramatic pace, especially in developing areas. Demographers expect that world population, currently 5.7 billion people, will soar to between 7.6 and 9.4 billion by the year 2025. Almost 95 percent of this growth will take place in developing countries. In these countries, it is already difficult to meet the needs of the existing population with the limited resources at hand.

- Disparities between different parts of the world continue to grow: between North and South, between democratic countries and non- democratic countries, between more educated societies and less educated ones.

- Hunger, shortages and economic depression are causing enormous human suffering. They are starving people of hope, while feeding conflicts and radicalism religious, national, tribal and military.

The price is paid first and foremost by the people in the afflicted countries. But it also takes a toll on the entire international community.

The roots of the problem are already clear:

- Low levels of education prevent too many societies from realizing their full potential.

- Billions of dollars that could be spent on development are wasted on armies and weapons. The excessive nature of these expenditures is made even more clear when we consider per capita spending. The historian Paul Kennedy described the probable outcome in his book, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers. History has shown us that countries which labored under burdensome defense budgets and continued military involvement became second-rate societies, economically and socially stagnant.

- Most states still do not enjoy democratic systems and the benefits they bring. The standard of living in democratic societies is the highest in the world, because they produce pluralistic, open and enterprising economies. In recent years, some progress has been made towards greater democratization throughout the world, but most countries and peoples still do not enjoy democracy.

- Corruption and abuse of excessive power by the few prevents an improvement in the human condition of the many.

- Throughout much of the world, infrastructure remains underdeveloped. This includes communications, transportation, energy, electricity and water.

- Finally, too many countries suffer from a lack of integration in the regional and global economies.

The roots of the problem point clearly to the necessary solutions:

- Raise the level of education and professional training.

- Reduce military expenditures by working to achieve peace and understanding.

- Encourage democratization.

- Open up economies to all forms of entrepreneurship.

- Work for regional and international cooperation, for integration in the global economy, and for the elimination of all forms of boycotts.

Leadership is crucial to achieving these goals. The principal responsibility will fall to individual states, rulers and public opinion leaders.

Mr. President,

This has been proven in the Middle East. The peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, the agreements between Israel and the PLO, the peace treaty with Jordan, the establishment of formal relations with Morocco and Tunisia, and the establishment of a framework for multilateral cooperation all these were brought about by the courage and wisdom of leaders.

Although we still face hardships and obstacles, the direction is clear: peace, regional cooperation, economic and commercial development, integrated infrastructures, and exchange of knowledge and information. In this way, the societies of the Middle East will stop wasting resources on conflicts, and instead invest them in people. The energies will be directed towards the creation of a better, more secure and prosperous future.

The main responsibility lies with the parties involved. But the international community also has an important role in assisting to achieve these goals. So it is in the Middle East, and so it is in other regions of the world.

International financial institutions have a responsibility to assist in creating a more advanced human and physical infrastructure.

The international economic and trade system has a responsibility to assist in developing trade and economic ties.

The United Nations and its agencies in humanitarian, social and educational assistance.

The democratic countries in encouraging a gradual transition to participatory societies. This should be done without coercion, through the influence of mass media, intellectuals and business leaders.

The world is undergoing painful changes. Some of these are producing deep concerns. But these should not be a cause for despair. There is a chance for advancement. There are countries and regions which prove that positive change is possible; that the future can hold more promise instead of less. The key is held by the people and their leaders, by the international community, by all of us.

Thank you, Mr. President.