Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize, in his participation in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, reaffirmed his country's commitment to the United Nations. He proposes to reform the organization and its structures to address contemporary realities.
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00:00He's here and let's listen now. Here's his speech.
00:12Mr. President, the self-determination of a people is sacrosanct.
00:20It is because of the exercise of that right to self-determination
00:26that each nation enjoys the privilege of sitting in this hall.
00:33Our nations exist by the will of our people,
00:38by virtue of their right to determine their political status
00:44and pursue their economic, cultural and social development.
00:51To borrow words from Nelson Mandela,
00:56our people are the real makers of history.
01:01Their participation in every decision about the future
01:07is the only guarantee of true democracy and freedom.
01:12If we look at the challenges that our people confront today,
01:16we must ask whether that sacrosanct principle of self-determination is in fact secure.
01:27Belize is a member of the Alliance of Small Island States, EOSIS,
01:34one of 39 countries that have been on the front lines of the climate crisis.
01:41The genesis of this crisis lies with the industrialized nations.
01:48Its perpetuation and acceleration rests with the wider membership of the Group of 20.
01:57Currently, the G20 accounts for some 80% of global emissions.
02:04EOSIS members contribute less than 1% of global emissions.
02:13This is the tale of two worlds, but we only have one planet to share.
02:21The extent to which G20 economies are advancing
02:27and contributing to global economic output and world trade
02:31is impressive and promising for their people.
02:36It is important that their growth should be calibrated to a world
02:41where SIDS also have a secure future.
02:45This is still possible, but it is urgent.
02:50As SIDS, our people's livelihoods have long depended on traditional sectors
02:56such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, which are climate sensitive.
03:04Opportunities for diversification have been limited given our size, population, and location.
03:14Climate change is forcing us to break with tradition
03:19and to transition despite the limited options to do so.
03:23Each step forward is met with yet another hurdle to overcome.
03:29And with increasing probability, we face the likelihood of setbacks
03:35as climate change impacts worsen.
03:38The costs are multiplying, fiscal space is shrinking,
03:43and the opportunities to equitably share in global prosperity are diminishing.
03:50The right of SIDS to define their own future must be protected and secured.
03:58The severe impacts of sea level rise have irreversible consequences for SIDS.
04:06Our people have gone beyond their duty to protect and preserve our environment,
04:13yet some are being forced to relocate from their homelands.
04:18To this, we reiterate that no matter the physical changes that climate change may bring to our territory,
04:27our sovereignty and our right to self-determination remain intact.
04:34Mr. President, the perpetual suffering of a people can never just be a matter of national concern.
04:42The United Nations rose up from the ashes of war to restore faith in fundamental human rights,
04:52in the dignity and worth of the human person,
04:56in the equal rights of men and women, and of nations large or small,
05:03and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for human rights
05:09under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties
05:16and other sources of international law can be maintained,
05:21and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.
05:29All members of the United Nations have a duty to give effect to these words.
05:36Conflicts should not be allowed to fester.
05:40The war in Ukraine is now two years running, and we are concerned that the end is still not near.
05:50Haiti has seized our attention once again,
05:55for Belize's international response must be enduring for long-lasting peace and security of our sister country.
06:07We are working through the Caribbean community to reinforce and strengthen Haiti,
06:14and we commend the Haitian people in their resolve to define their own pathway forward.
06:21We are pleased to be contributing personnel to the multinational security support mission.
06:31Belize is extremely worried that up to now,
06:36the international community has not fully delivered on its commitments for the MSS,
06:43nor the UN Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Haiti.
06:48This jeopardizes all the efforts towards establishing political stability,
06:56but more than that, puts the future of Haiti at substantial risk.
07:03Mr. President, Cuba should no longer be subject to an unjust and illegal economic embargo imposed by the United States.
07:17It is imperative that Cuba be removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
07:26This arbitrary and unilateral designation has created an unnecessary barrier to global cooperation,
07:36constructive engagement, and the promotion of peace and stability in our region.
07:45Mr. President, Belize rejects the continued denial of self-determination of the Palestinian people
07:56and calls for the eradication of the system of colonial domination and apartheid being imposed upon them.
08:06As Belize stated to the International Court of Justice in the recent advisory opinion,
08:14Israel cannot be permitted to continue flouting one of the most fundamental principles of international law with impunity.
08:27Impunity breeds inhumanity.
08:31Just two weeks ago, this Assembly approved a resolution proposed by Palestine
08:40affirming the ICJ's advisory opinion and called on members to act
08:48to reinforce the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.
08:54The war, the oppression, and the inhumanity must end.
09:01Mr. President, Taiwan is a nation that espouses democracy, development, and innovation.
09:12The challenges we are tackling as an international community
09:17requires Taiwan's full inclusion and participation in the international system.
09:26Belize calls for this to be done immediately.
09:31The people of Western Sahara should be granted their long overdue referendum to decide their own future.
09:40Belize continues its repeated call for the United Nations and the international community
09:48to take the necessary steps to allow the Sahrawi people to finally exercise their right to self-determination.
10:00Mr. President, I submit to you and this Assembly
10:05that the foundation of leaving no one behind
10:10requires that we actively promote and protect the right of self-determination
10:17in its most basic form, in the context of peace and security.
10:24Now we must also do so in the context of sustainable development.
10:30We have adopted a rescue plan to steer the SDGs back on course.
10:38We have a pact for the future.
10:41We must use every opportunity to put in place the systems and financing
10:48necessary to turbocharge our sustainable development and climate goals.
10:55In this effort, we must ensure equal opportunity for all to share in global prosperity.
11:04We must raise collective ambition and invest in all our people to empower them to rise.
11:14Mr. President, the Declaration on Sea Level Rise and Statehood
11:18adopted by the leaders of the Alliance of Small Island States on 23 September
11:26affirms that the sovereignty or statehood of small island developing states
11:33cannot be challenged under any circumstances of climate change-related sea level rise.
11:40We invite all UN member states to support the implementation of this declaration
11:48and to use it as the basis of international cooperation.
11:54To further guarantee that SIDS will be spared the gravest climate threats,
12:01global warming must be limited to well below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
12:07Belize urges the G20 to enhance their emission reduction targets
12:15to achieve this temperature limit.
12:19For SIDS, adaptation is imperative,
12:24and loss and damage associated with climate change is inevitable.
12:30The new climate finance goal to be decided in Baku
12:35must contain specific recommendations for minimum allocation to SIDS
12:42in relation to grant-based and concessional finance
12:47for adaptation and grants for loss and damage.
12:52It must also give effect to the provisions of the Paris Agreement,
12:56which require enhanced access for SIDS and LDCs to climate finance.
13:04Finally, it must support the urgent capitalization of the Fund
13:10for responding to loss and damage.
13:14Mr. President, with the adoption of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS,
13:20the UN must now ensure its implementation.
13:25SIDS must be at the table
13:28in global economic and international financial institutions.
13:34The Multidimensional Vulnerability Index
13:38should be incorporated into existing practices and policies
13:44for debt sustainability and development support
13:48to expand SIDS access to effective development finance.
13:55Mr. President, Belize is moving ahead.
14:00We are on a transformative development trajectory.
14:06We have dramatically improved our credit profile
14:10through the Belize Blue Bond Project,
14:13a debt-for-marine conservation swap
14:17We are reforming and modernizing
14:20our legislative and policy frameworks for investments
14:25and activating our orange and blue economies,
14:29including beyond our national jurisdiction.
14:33In partnership with the United States of America,
14:37we have signed a five-year U.S. $125 million grant agreement
14:44with the Millennium Challenge Corporation,
14:47intended to help reduce poverty in Belize
14:51by addressing the country's energy and education sectors.
14:57We are making targeted investments
15:00to ensure that every child has access to quality education and opportunities.
15:07One key example is the Belize Education Upliftment Project,
15:12Together We Rise,
15:13which provides half of Belizean secondary school students
15:18with the resources they need to succeed,
15:22including free tuition, uniforms, school supplies, and healthy meals.
15:28Belize has extended the compulsory school age to 16 years
15:34to improve school retention rates
15:37and increase the likelihood of transitioning to higher education.
15:42We are working tirelessly to expand vocational training,
15:48digital access, and life skills development,
15:52ensuring that young people are prepared for the evolving job market
15:59and capable of driving innovation in sectors such as agriculture,
16:05climate change, and technology.
16:08We are aggressively closing the digital divide
16:12as technology holds the promise of progress.
16:16But we depend on multilateral efforts
16:19to ensure that all nations, regardless of size or wealth,
16:24have the infrastructure and capacity to participate in the digital economy.
16:31Education and capacity building alone are not enough.
16:37Addressing inequalities and fostering inclusion
16:42are equally critical to achieving lasting change.
16:47The achievement of gender equality
16:50and the empowerment of women and girls is central to this effort.
16:55Belize has made important progress in this area,
16:58marked by the recent launch of its revised National Gender Policy 2024-2030,
17:07which aims to end discrimination and violence against women
17:13while promoting their full participation in all aspects of society,
17:19social, economic, and political.
17:23Belize continues its work
17:26to ensure that every Belizean has access
17:30to high-quality, affordable, and efficient health care services.
17:36By January 2025, we will achieve full national health insurance coverage.
17:44We are also strengthening our mental health support systems
17:49with the goal of improving and expanding access to quality care
17:55addressing the stigma surrounding mental health
18:00and enhancing outreach programs, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
18:09Mr. President, Belize is committed to the final settlement
18:15of Guatemala's territorial, insular, and maritime claim.
18:20We welcome Guatemala's stated commitment
18:25to respecting and abiding by the ruling of the International Court of Justice.
18:33At the political level, we are actively engaged with Guatemala
18:38to strengthen our bilateral relationship.
18:42A definitive solution will bring greater opportunities
18:47for both of our nations in the areas of trade, investment, and cooperation.
18:55Mr. President, Belize reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations
19:03as the central platform for coordinated global action.
19:09But its decision-making processes need to be more inclusive,
19:15more responsive, and representative.
19:21Its institutions cannot be held back by the world as it was 80 years ago.
19:30Reform is urgent and necessary to reflect the world as it is.
19:38Mr. President, the youth of today have given us a clear, undeniable mandate.
19:48They demand action, accountability, and a future where they are heard, seen, and respected.
19:59We ignore them at our own peril.
20:03We must not fail them.
20:05It is our responsibility to heed their calls for change.
20:12We must deliver on our commitments
20:16and build a world that present and future generations deserve.
20:22I thank you.