- May 2023
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dig.watch dig.watch
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And let’s call it round one of the internet has not been great for that
Blame it on the internet!
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very new technology, we need a new framework
existing laws are not suited for gpt
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combination of companies doing the right thing, regulation and public education
Responsibility falling on these 3 stakeholders
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if content that they’re looking at might be generated or might not
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we think that regulatory intervention by governments will be critical to mitigate the risks of increasingly powerful models
Don't regulate GPT-4. Regulate the risks from the models that are coming after GPT-4
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work together
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The AI industry doesn’t have to wait for Congress
... because Congress ain't doing nothing soon
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a governance regime flexible enough to adapt to new technical development
future-proof rules
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To ensure this, the U.S. government should consider a combination of licensing or registration requirements for development and release of AI models above a crucial threshold of capabilities, alongside incentives for full compliance with these requirements
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we work to remove
we work to remove vs we remove
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to follow user instructions
This is crucial. If human-directed, responsibility is the individual's. As soon as there is an inch of autonomy, responsibility shifts
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OpenAI has an unusual structure
Altman highlights a major distinction between OpenAI and typical Big Tech. OpenAI's bottom line is not about generating profit for the benefit of its stakeholders, unlike Big Tech, but about reinvesting profits back to the NGO and its subsidiary
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- Apr 2022
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www.un.org www.un.org
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ourth, digital technology is the Wild West for human rights. From a yawning digital divide of 2.9 billion people, to internet shutdowns, disinformation campaigns and the proliferation of spyware, digital technology is often discriminatory and detrimental to human rights. Censorship and online attacks have been normalized, particularly against ethnic and religious minorities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, young people, indigenous communities and women’s rights activists. Artificial Intelligence enables algorithms to discriminate and exclude. Science and reason are under siege as lies and conspiracy theories spread like wildfire. Cyberwarfare and the development of AI-enabled weapons pose an unprecedented threat to human rights. The internet must be treated as a global public good. It should benefit everyone, everywhere. We need a digital public square that is inclusive and safe for all; and social media platforms that support human rights and freedoms. While guardrails are essential, they must never be used to shut down legitimate debate. That is why regulatory frameworks must be anchored in human rights, and agreed through inclusive consultations. This is the approach taken in my proposed global Code of Conduct to promote integrity in public information, and my proposed Global Digital Compact.
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- Mar 2022
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www.whitehouse.gov www.whitehouse.gov
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Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework
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to implement new safeguards
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www.pch.net www.pch.net
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HagueMultistakeholder
I propose to unpack this proposal a little bit.
There are two parts to this proposal: 1. Whether a website or service should be blocked, and 2. if yes, how to do it.
Whether or not. We need to distinguish between legal obligations imposed by the EU, and other voluntary measures taken by private sector. For instance, in blocking access to RT and Sputnik, companies are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, but are fulfilling a legal obligation imposed by the EU. What the proposal is saying is that beyond legal obligation, there needs to be a set of voluntary norms the private sector should follow. Fair enough.
How. The proposal makes the case for non-tech 'sanction', that is, for blocklisting. Simple as that.
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www.whitehouse.gov www.whitehouse.gov
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Instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it in America.
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harms of social media. As Frances Haugen, who is here tonight with us, has shown, we must hold social media platforms accountable for the national experiment they’re conducting on our children for profit. Folks — thank you. Thank you for the courage you showed. It’s time to strengthen privacy protections; ban targeted advertising to children; demand tech companies stop collecting personal data on our children
Privacy issues are now tied almost exclusively to children's well-being and their social media use
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third
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fourth
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Second
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First
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by shipping jobs and factories overseas
That's now how Big Tech evade tax. They have evaded tax by moving profits on intangible parts of the equation, namely intellectual property, to tax havens such as Bermuda or BVI, by using conduits in jurisdictions like the Netherlands (Dutch sandwich). It's fine to talk about shipping jobs and factories overseas, but that's not the full picture.
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cut the cost of prescription drugs
But China doesn't export pharmaceutical drugs! The issue is not insulin, or prescription drugs. The issue is semiconductors. How can Biden promise companies that supplies made in the USA will be cheaper, when wages are higher? Just because they're manufactured in the USA? That doesn't fly, to me, because wages are much higher.
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Look, economists call this increasing the productive capacity of our economy.
The promise here is that supplies made-in-USA will be cheaper, or at least the same price as made-in-China. It's still unclear to me how this is possible. True, there won't be costs for freight, but wages are still much higher in the USA. How do you beat low wages in China?!
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I think I have a better idea to fight inflation: Lower your costs, not your wages. And, folks, that means make more cars and semiconductors in America, more infrastructure and innovation in America, more goods moving faster and cheaper in America, more jobs where you can earn a good living in America
Here's how Biden is trying to convince factories to use US-based supplies: he's telling them, by using made-in-China, you're sacrificing jobs of American people. If you use made-in-USA, you will still lower costs, but also help maintain good wages
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GM is making the largest investment in its history — $7 billion to build electric vehicles, creating 4,000 jobs in Michigan.
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Companies are choosing to build new factories here when just a few years ago, they would have gone overseas. That’s what is happening. Ford is investing $11 billion in electric vehicle
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Some of the most sophisticated manufacturing in the world to make computer chips the size of a fingertip that power the world and everyday lives, from smartphones, technology that — the Internet — technology that’s yet to be invented.
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That’s where Intel, the American company that helped build Silicon Valley, is going to build a $20 billion semiconductor “mega site.” Up to eight state-of-the-art factories in one place. Ten thousand new jobs. And in those factories, the average job — about $135 — $135,000 a year.
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But, folks, to compete for the jobs of the future, we also need to level the playing field with China and other competitors. That’s why it’s so important to pass the bipartisan Innovation Act sitting in Congress that will make record investments in emerging technologies and American manufacturing.
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And look, it’s going to — it’s going to transform America to put us on a path to win the economic competition of the 21st century that we face with the rest of the world, particularly China.
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- Feb 2022
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decency in the work of journalists
Is this what it boils down to? Decency? It's too weak a value, no? I think there is/should be more to ethical and more codes ||DylanF||
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ethical behavior is the main one in the history of the media. Hundreds of self-regulation rules have been developed for the media around the world (more than 400 codes of ethics for journalists alone have been adopted in the world) - most contain universal rules for checking, verifying information and working with sources. One of the main ones is the Code of Ethics adopted in 2014 by the American Association of Professional Journalists: its preamble contains rules governing both formal journalism (the work of TV channels, Internet resources, print media) and "new media" - bloggers, operating on the platforms Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Telegram, etc. The very first principle contained in the preamble of the code is "seek the truth and report it."
The 'normative' side of journalism boils down to Codes of Ethics. So the rules are there. If they are there, what is happening, then? ||DylanF||
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US National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horn emphasized the untruthfulness of the message: " Anonymous sources are leaking lies ."
Some decency, at last
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I am the president of Ukraine, I am here, and I think I know the details better than any president " (a reference to Joseph Biden, who at that moment stated that "an attack is likely in any moment").
It's mortifying that the UAian president has to say something like this. When has the quest for truth started being reduced to secondary sources?! And yet, I wonder if this was on purpose. Journalists know better than this, surely.
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The media field is a new battlefield, news is a new weapon, and any messages, especially those based on anonymous sources, have a real and great impact on our people, on their psyche, on our state, especially on our economy
This merits study. To what extent is digital media amplifying this 'panic virus'? It close to (but does not pass the threshold of) disinformation in terms of effects and implications. We need to keep an eye out. Wdyt? ||DylanF||
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And, of course, this did not add confidence to either Ukrainian citizens or the national economy.
Do US/UK journalists stop to think about the effects of sensationalism?
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On the one hand, the narratives circulated by the media in the US and Britain (as well as their German, French, even Ukrainian counterparts) were supposedly dictated by good intentions: to show the cards at some stage could mean "stop and prevent". On the other hand, this clearly did not meet Ukrainian interests: Ukraine began to lose money from panic.
The effect of the media frenzy in the US/UK was detrimental for Ukraine. Vesti asks whether this was on purpose
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but in such a volume (dozens of publications for each media) and such a tone (“Kyiv will be plundered”),
From your experience, has the volume of citing unnamed sources increased? ||DylanF||
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- Jan 2022
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www.un.org www.un.org
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We need strong regulatory frameworks to change this business model.
SG could have used the opportunity to call on governments to speed up and beef up action (even if lobbying for status quo or minimal action is too strong)
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The business models of social media companies profit from algorithms that prioritize addiction, outrage and anxiety at the cost of public safety.
Another tough criticism directed at social media companies and their algorithms
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Global Digital Compact as part of the Summit of the Future in 2023. The Compact will bring together governments, the private sector and civil society to agree on key principles underpinning global digital cooperation. This will reinforce the ongoing coordinated approach on cyber security to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. And I’ve proposed a Global Code of Conduct to end the infodemic and the war on science, and promote integrity in public information, including online.
Urging action leading up to a Global Digital Compact. A sort of social contract. SG is trying hard, but he needs governments to act.
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Our personal information is being exploited to control or manipulate us, change our behaviors, violate our human rights, and undermine democratic institutions. Our choices are taken away from us without us even knowing it.
Very strong criticism directed towards tech companies
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The
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Agenda
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I want to begin the year by raising five alarms -- on COVID-19, global finance, climate action, lawlessness in cyber space, and peace and security.
cyberspace is lawless, and is one of the 5 alarms sounded by UN SG
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From global health to digital technology, many of today’s multilateral frameworks are outdated and no longer fit for purpose.
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And the information superhighway is clogged with hatred and lies, giving oxygen to the worst impulses of humanity.
Tags
Annotators
URL
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www.unicef.org www.unicef.org
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UNICEF combines its experience, research and analysis to create programmes, campaigns and initiatives wherever they are needed most. Explore our reports to see how data can lead to change
Jovan look at this ||Jovan||
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curator.diplomacy.edu curator.diplomacy.edu
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to explain an idea clearly
Precisely the aim of our newsletters. Clarity, brevity.
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- Oct 2021
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www.commerce.senate.gov www.commerce.senate.gov
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I have worked as a product manager at large tech companies since 2006, includingGoogle, Pinterest, Yelp and Facebook. My job has largely focused on algorithmicproducts like Google+ Search and recommendation systems like the one that powersthe Facebook News Feed. Working at four major tech companies that operate differenttypes of social networks, I have been able to compare and contrast how eachcompany approaches and deals with different challenges
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www.gov.ie www.gov.ie
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This is a minimum rate, and Ireland will be at the minimum – no country can undercut the rate and many of our competitors have higher tax rates
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Our statutory 12.5% tax rate will continue to apply to the vast majority of businesses in Ireland given they operate below the EUR 750m threshold set out in the agreement.
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Important details need to be resolved, regarding how any agreement will be implemented in practice, recognising also that the proposed OECD agreement will allow certain deductions (the so called substance based carve-out) to take account of asset value and payroll which will be important for the effective tax rate to be paid by businesses
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to provide long-term predictability for businesses
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If Ireland is not to apply the global minimum effective tax rate it means that another jurisdiction will collect those taxes. So, not joining an agreement will result not just in reputational risks, but also economic and fiscal risks
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Third, failure to sign up to an agreement will lead to continued uncertainty for businesses operating in Ireland.
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Second, if Ireland is not in the agreement we will lose influence in respect to the critical discussions which will take place in the coming months on the implementation rules.
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These relationships are important for our business, for trade, and society more broadly, and thus it is essential that Ireland continues to stay in line with key international accords particularly one that is likely to have the support of 140 countries
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For Ireland, the agreement will allow for the retention of our statutory 12.5% rate for businesses with annual revenues of less than €750million. This will mean that there will be no increase in the corporate tax rate for one hundred and sixty thousand businesses representing approximately 1.8 million employees and they will continue to enjoy all the benefits of Ireland’s longstanding 12.5% rate. I am happy to confirm that I have received assurances from the EU Commission that maintaining the headline 12.5% corporation tax rate for businesses out of scope of the OECD agreement does not present any difficulties
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The EU Commission has also provided assurances to me that that the Directive it will shortly propose to transpose the OECD agreement will be faithful to the agreement and not go beyond the international consensus
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Importantly we have secured the removal of ‘at least’ in the OECD text as we had sought. Some countries wanted higher minimum tax rates and I believe our position moderated those ambitions in the context of broader consensus and agreement. This provides critical certainty for Government and industry
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ustr.gov ustr.gov
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We share the aim of avoiding a subsidy race and the risk of crowding out private investments that would themselves contribute to our security and resilience
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mapping capacity in the semiconductor value chain, and strengthening our domestic semiconductor ecosystems, from, research, design to manufacturing, with a view to improving resilience, through consultation with stakeholders, and the right incentives
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- Sep 2021
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estatements.unmeetings.org estatements.unmeetings.org
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Education is an important tool utilized to equip, capacitate, develop and empower every learner to create and/or sustain development and attain the future we want. The closure of schools and institutions of higher learning due to the pandemic, hashad anunparalleled devastating impact to millions of learners. This has been more pronounced in the developing world, mainly because many of these countries are not adequately equipped to pursue their education virtually. Theimpact of students being out of schoolfor an extended period of time was enormous and a nightmare in many developing countries. The lack of access to digital learning resources was a setback tostudents’ learning opportunities.Upon resumption of classesin the Kingdom of Eswatini, schools had to stagger attendance in order to prevent the snowballing of infections and the spread of the virus,as it evolvesand changesphases
Effect on COVID-19 on education in Eswatini. SInce schools are not tech-ready, children have missed out
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estatements.unmeetings.org estatements.unmeetings.org
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IappealtotheInternationalcommunitytoremainfocusedonworkinginpartnershipwith SIDS like Saint Lucia.
Main focus of St Lucia's speech: SIDS
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Cuba continues to punch above its weight with its humanitarian efforts, playing its part in theglobal Covid-19 response, despite its disadvantaged position in the International Community.Saint Lucia joins CARICOM and the global community in renewing calls to the United States tonormalizeitsrelationswithCuba,andfortheabolitionoftheexistingembargo,whichonlyservesas a hindrance to economic growth in Cuba, and an obstacle to realizing full regional economicintegrationintheCaribbean.GivenCuba’sroleinhealth,education,sports,andsocialdevelopment in our region, the normalisation of relations with Cuba, means the advancement ofdevelopment in our entire Caribbean region. As we make this annual call for the normalisation ofrelationswithCuba,SaintLuciawantsittobeknownthatwearespeakingtoourowndevelopmentinas muchas we arespeakingabout thebetterment ofthelives ofthe Cuban people
St Lucia in favour of normalisation of relations with Cuba
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Mr. President, as we maneuver the turmoil of these unprecedented times, the young people mustbe brought into the mainstream of national development. Too often, the Youth are placed on theback burner when things get rough, and the belt used for economic tightening is strung aroundtheir very necks.Suchanapproachfailstoconsidertheimmenseenergy,enthusiasm,andcreativitywhichyoungpeoplebringtothedevelopmenttable.Itisforthisreason,thatSaintLuciahasprioritizedtheimplementationof“TheYouthEconomy,”asthenewfrontierofoureconomicdevelopment, formalized in a new Government Department under the purview of the PrimeMinister, with the mandate of propelling our young people to turn their talents, skills and hobbiesinto economic enterprises for their own empowerment. We see our young people as a resource tobe molded and optimized, not as problems to be managed or solved.We believe that a countrymustconsidertheaspirationsofitsyoungcitizensandturnthemintoconcreteandpracticalassets,purposesandgoals.Mr. President, we are committed to improving the lives of our young people, especially the mostvulnerable, and we are working with all citizens to assist them in transforming their lives and tomake viable contributions to the economy. In this regard, Saint Lucia invites the InternationalCommunity to discuss and engage with us strategically, on mutually beneficial relationships andprojectstopromoteTheYouthEconomy,asweseektobuild abetterandmoresustainablefutureforall
Another interesting initiative: The Youth Economy, which directs resources towards the education and empowerment of young people
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Mr.President,SaintLuciaiscallingfortheadoptionofaglobalvulnerabilityindexbyinternational institutions.This index should include variables such as vulnerability to adverseweathersystemsandnaturaldisasters,historicaldisadvantagesarisingoutofplunder,colonialismandexploitation,andthevagariesoftheeconomicactivitieswhichsuchstatesdependforsurvival.Such a global vulnerability index would ensure that access to concessional development financeis granted based on criteria that consider the true contexts of our fragile economies, which areconstantlyunderthreatofregression,dueto natural, man-madeorpoliticaldisasters
Interesting proposal by St Lucia, for a global vulnerability index, on the basis of which, countries would have access to development finance.
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www.diplomacy.edu www.diplomacy.edu
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Inourview,buildingbackbetterinitiativesshouldfocusonjobcreation,digitalization,increasedSDGfinancing,strengthenedhealthsystems,scientificresearch,andincreasedutilizationoflocalexpertsinprogrammeandprojectinterventionsinthecontinent.
Only one mention of digitalisation
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estatements.unmeetings.org estatements.unmeetings.org
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InthesameveinMr.President,inaccordancewiththeresolutionsunanimouslyadoptedbythisaugustAssembly,wecallforanendoftheeconomic,commercialandfinancialembargobytheUnitedStatesagainstCuba.ThepeopleofCubadeservetopursuethedevelopmentalaspirationsandattaineconomicfreedom
Call to end sanctions against Cuba
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Givenourrenewableresourcessuchassolar,windaswellastheocean,Namibiahasdecidedtoprioritizethedevelopmentofgreenandblueeconomies.Furthermore,wearealsowellpositionedthroughourrecentmembershiptotheHigh-LevelPanelonOceanSustainability,todesignandchampionasustainable“blueeconomy”,whichwillgrowoureconomicbaseandcreatethemuch-neededjobs,whilealsotacklingclimatechange
Focus on green and blue economies
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Itisapitythatwehaveasituationwhereinsomecountries,citizensareatthestageofreceivingboostershotswhileinothercountries,manyarestillwaitingtoreceivetheirfirstdosesofvaccines.Letusbearinmindthat,“Nooneissafeunlessweareallsafe.”
Echoes what other countries have been saying (booster shots vs no vaccines; no one safe until all safe)
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estatements.unmeetings.org estatements.unmeetings.org
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t seems that the world is at a crossroad: We can either choose further isolationism and erosion of trust, tolerating the increase of xenophobia, nationalism and right-wing ideas, ignoring the alarming warnings about the state of the environment, and silently accepting increase of inequality in all fields; or we canmake a breakthrough to have amore secure and better future for all and take the path of the “common agenda” –“for people, for the planet, for prosperity and for peace” as the Secretary General Guterres said. Itwouldmeanopting for the future that willbe based on the highest values of equality and justice, responsibilityand solidarity,and not on the retrograde ideologies, selfishness and cheep populism.
Echoing the reference to crossroads in SG's Common Agenda report
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further lagging behind in the development of this European region, butalso opens the space for restoration of destructive theories that claim that, due to the fact that it is lagging behind, this region cannot live as a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional community and that its statescannot befunctional. They want to impute this constructed thesis to Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular, but also to smaller countries in the region, tomake an alibi for restoration of greater-state nationalisticprojects that in the 1990s led to thewar in Western Balkans with almost 150000 deaths. Our determination to fight these retrograde and dangerous ideas has not waveredand therefore today, from this place, Montenegro is warningof the renewed danger that Western Balkanswill be destabilized,and the horizons of its European prospects reduced
On the conflict in Western Balkans. Montenegro is critical of efforts to delay integration with Europe (it's a 'natural' setting)
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We are witnessing the growingclimate and environmental crisis. Recently in Geneva, the High Commissioner for Human Rights presented very concerning findings about global human rights situation in the context of the environment. Climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity will constitute by far the most serious challenge for human rights in our era, said the High Commissionaire. In that,she clearly recognized human activity as one of the factorsand the lack of proper activitiesas another. Full implementation of 2030 Agenda and Paris Climate Agreement are crucial for better recovery from the pandemic and preparation of the world for future systemic shocks. That is why it is particularly important that in preparations for the Summit and Conference in Glasgow in November this year, all countries mobilise an additional level of ambition for achieving long-term goals for reducing global warming. Although its share in the global emissions is tiny, in December 2020 Montenegro additionally increased its climate ambition,confirming thus the strong and persistent commitment to adequate treatment of climate challenges. We expect that further activitieson the national level will open the space for new and more ambitious breakthroughs. That is why it is exceptionally important to integrate the components of action thatwill be based on human rights, both when new climate ambitions are set, and when new global biodiversity framework is defined
Climate change: Montenegro has tiny global emissions, but contributing to tackling climate change
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It is in such a light that we should also observethe obvious deterioration of security and humanitarian situation, while we arepreparing for potentially new and stronger wave of migrantsthat will undoubtedly have regional and global repercussions. We appeal for a global response to the refugee and migrant crisis. We have to share responsibility, as we envisaged in the global agreements for refugees and migrants. We mustcooperate in seeking the solutions and help equally to countries of receptionand countries of origin. Montenegro is the only of the republics of former Yugoslavia that did not have war in its territory during the conflicts in 1990s. At that timeMontenegro accepted more than 100 000 refugees and displaced persons, which wasmore than 20% of our entire
Concern over the potential rise in migration. Responsibility should be shared; response should be global
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Due to the obvious deterioration of the overall international security atmosphere, modernization of armedsystems, as well as due to the collapse of some of the most important strategic instruments in this field, international architecture for disarmament, non-proliferation and control of arms are under a significant pressure. That is something that Montenegro, as a responsible UNand NATO member,wants to drawyourattention to. Support to implementation and strengthening and to further development of multilateral agreements in the field of disarmament, non-proliferation and control of arms mustbe imperativesfor all of us
Concerned with disarmament efforts
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The process of strengtheningmultilateral approachshould come together with our work on the strengthening of cooperation in the digital sphere, particularly
Digital policy: need to strengthen cooperation
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That mission will require efficient and strengthenedmultilateralism, with the rhetoricthat withdraws,giving room todeeds. To overcome the existing geostrategic divisions and dysfunctional international relations we will need a new worldview within our states and a renewed global agreement between the states. Post pandemic recovery and revitalized multilateralism mustbe based on fair globalization, respect for human rights and dignity of all, environment protection and responsible attitude to nature,andresults that will be measured by humaneparameters,and not only by economic ones. We should not strivefor peace which would benothing else,buta mere absence of warand we should not strive fordevelopment only for the sake of profits. We should strive for peace and progress that will be built on achieving the highest democratic standards and quality of life for all–equally for current and future generations
We need a renewed global agreement between states (vague)
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estatements.unmeetings.org estatements.unmeetings.org
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We are particularly concerned with the changes in institutional order that are occurring frequently through the use of military force in African countries, as these unconstitutional acts have not spurred an appropriate and sufficient reaction from the international community in orderto discourage such acts, which are reprehensible in every aspect, as we have seen in Mali and, more recently, in Guinee
Calling for action (sanctions?) over situation in Mali and Guinea.
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For this reason, the COVID-19 vaccine must be recognized as a good for all humanity, with universal and open access to allow for wider production and equitable distribution on a global scale
Call for vaccines to be treated as a public good (not exact words)
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5It is shocking to see the disparity between some nations and others with respect to availability of vaccines. These disparities allow for third doses to be given, in some cases, while, in other cases, as in Africa, the vast majority of the population has not even received the first dose
Disparity in the distribution of vaccines
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www.diplomacy.edu www.diplomacy.edu
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ButwemustequallynotwaiverinourdeterminationtodeliverthelongoutstandingreformoftheSecurityCouncil.Letusriseaboveourdifferencessothatwedonotleavethisunfinishedbusinessasaburdenofthefuturegeneration.Wemustachievethereformsduringourlifetime.
UN SC reform
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Mr.President,AsIhavealreadyalluded,revitalizationandstrengtheningtheworkof,andcoordinationamongthePrincipalOrgansofUnitedNations(i.e.,GeneralAssembly,theEconomicandSocialCouncil,theSecurityCouncilandtheSecretariat)aswellasimprovingtheirworkingmethodsremainscrucial.Itisimportantthatweensurethatthischiefdeliberative,policymakingandrepresentativeOrganbecomestrue,universal"parliamentofnations"
Stronger UN
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futuregenerations
mentioned quite a few times!
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Botswanacallsforanaggressivedialogueonclimatechangeandforaction-orientedsolutionsincludingeffective,efficientearlywarningsystemsanddisasterriskmanagementstrategiesandstrengthenedcollaborativeeffortsbetweentheUnitedNationsandregionalandSub-regionalentitiestoalsoenhancepredictiveanalyticsanddata
On climate change: call for efficient early warning systems and risk management strategies
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Firstly,Governmentisfullycommittedto"SaveBotswana'spopulationfromCOVID-19"throughhealthprogrammesthatincludevaccination.Secondly,wearereformingthepublicservicetoensureeffectiveimplementationofGovernmentpolicies.Thirdly,weareaccelerating"Digitalization"inthedeliveryofservicesbyGovernment,andcreatingenablingconditionsfortheactiveinvolvementoftheprivatesectorandsocietyintheuptakeandutilisationofdigitaltechnologies.22.Ourfourthpriorityis"Value-ChainDevelopment":thisentailsunlockingmorevalueinkeysectorssuchasmining,tourism,agricultureandeducationbywayoftheinnovationand
Botswana's 5 policy priorities, called the Reset Agenda:
- Covid recover
- reforming public service
- e-gvoernance & digital tech
- value-chain development
- mind-set change towards ownership by the people
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Letusacceptthattheprevailingvaccineinequityistherealproblemandareflectionoftheinherentweaknessesofourmultilateralsystem
Vaccine problems are a result of a weak multilateral system
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itisforthisreasonthatBotswanasharesthefrustrationbymanyandstronglysupportsthecallforthevaccinestobetreatedasaglobalpublicgood,asthisiskeytorecoveryandrebuildingbetterfromtheCOVID-19pandemic.
Call for vaccines to be a global public good
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Giventhatsciencehasdeliveredthevaccines,nowitistimeforworldleaders,guidedbytheidealsoftheUNCharter,toensurethatthislife-savingresourceisdistributedequitably
Call for equitable distribution of vaccines
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estatements.unmeetings.org estatements.unmeetings.org
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Mr.President, it is against this background of ambition for my countrythat my governmentembraces the vision set out in the Secretary-General’s report entitled, “Our Common Agenda”.We embrace his view that our nations must be driven by solidaritythat he has so eloquently described as “the principle of working together, recognizing that we are bound to each other and that no community or country, however powerful, can solve its challenges alone”.
Guyana's diverse background is why it welcomes the UN SG's report on Our Common Agenda
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people transported from Africa in the genocidal slave trade, people from India who were indentured to labour in a new land, people from Europewho migrated at a time of want and persecution, and people from China who were also brought to work on the plantations
Guyana's people all come from troubled regions or troubled backgrounds
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Mr.President, the strained relations between the United States and Cubaare also a matter of deep concern to our region.We are convinced that normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States would have a beneficial impact onpeace in the hemisphere and greater prosperity for all
Guyana wants US' relations with Cuba to improve
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Just recently, an agreement was issued in Mexico City by which the contending internal factions in Venezuela renewed a baseless claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. We have responded in clear terms.And I repeat our response now in these hallowed halls in which nations of the world meet in peace and cooperation.Guyana cannot be used as an altar of sacrifice for the settlement of Venezuela’s internal political differences. While my governmentwelcomes efforts to bring about domestic harmony within Venezuela, agreements that defy international law and processes can be no basis for mediating such harmony.Guyana does not promote the use of violence or threats to settle disputes. In a 1966 Agreement signed in Geneva, Venezuela consented to allow the UN Secretary-General to decide on the means of settlement of this controversy. The Secretary-Generaldecided on the International Court of Justice. Both Parties are therefore bound by the Court’s jurisdiction and ultimate decision
On Guyana's troubles with Venezuela
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The peoples of the world will be watching.
Will be watching what the worst emitters will do during COP 26
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Yet, our countries are among the lowest emitters of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing the least to the harmful and destructive effects of Climate Change.This is not only unfair; it is unjust
Unjust for small countries to bear the brunt of climate change, when they are the lowest emitters of emissions
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Mr President, we hold out similar hope that the world’s worst emitters of greenhouse gases that are threatening the welfare of all mankind, will also come to the realization that in the end it will profit them little to emerge king over a world of dust
Again, heavy language (king over a world of dust) for rich countries
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Belatedly, the rich have come to the realization thaton our one Earth,they need the cooperation of the poor to save themselves
Strong criticism towards developed countries
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My government restates its call for increased resources to be made available to States on the basis oftheir vulnerabilities and not only based on the misleading measure of per capita income.
This is important for definitions of 'developing' and 'small states'. Development is typically assessed via GDP; smallness via population. Guyana is saying, look also at a country's vulernabilities
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But such recovery will be painfully elongated and slow unless there is international support in the form of debt rescheduling, debt service moratoriums, provision of soft resources to reboot economies
Covid-19 has stalled progress on SDGs. Countries need debt rescheduling, debt service moratoriums, and soft resources to reboot their economies
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Concurrent with achieving equitable geographical representation in the UN we must also address the question of gender parity.Yesterday,we marked the 20thanniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at the World Conference against Racism in South Africa.Thisremains the international community’s blueprint for action to fight racism and other forms of intolerance.We are bound by a common responsibility to fight both the legacy of past racism and the manifestation in the present
Calls for gender equality, and action to fight racism
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This year marks 12 years since the start of the Inter-Governmental Negotiations process and 16 years since the World Summit of 2005, where world leadersunanimously agreed on early reform of the Security Council
South Africa calls for text-based negotiations on UNSC reform
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The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination has been raised in this General Assembly for almost as long as this body has been in existence.We raise it again today, not because we are bound by practice to do so, but because we resolutely believe that there shall be no peace and no justice until the Palestinian people are free from occupation and are able to exercise the rights for which this United Nations stands.We have a responsibility, as the nations of the world, to spare no effort in finding a just, lasting and peaceful solution based on internationally agreed parameters enshrined in the relevant UN resolutions. Wereiterate our position that the people of Western Sahara have the right to self-determination in line with the relevant African Uniondecisions and UN Security Council resolutions. South Africa further affirms its solidarity with the Cuban people and calls for the lifting of the economic embargo that has caused untold damage to the country’s economy and people
Self-determination for Palestine, Western Sahara, and Cuba
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That is whyweseek to enhance the relationship between the UN and the African Union in maintaining peace, financing peacebuilding efforts, and advancing post-conflict reconstruction and development
Link between UN and African Union needs to be enhanced
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COP26must therefore launch a formal programme of work on the implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation
South Africa calls for a formal programme on implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation during COP 26
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Check Against Delivery 3In this respect, the G20 Debt Standstill Initiative is a welcome response to the fiscal and liquidity challenges faced byleast developed economies. Theagreement on the allocation of $650 billion in Special Drawing Rights is significant, but it is insufficient to meet the extent of the need.South Africathereforereiterates its call for 25% of the total allocation, amounting to around$162 billion, to be made available to the African continent.
Investment to help developing countries achieve SDGs is significant, but there needs to be dedicated help for African countries
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South Africa reaffirms its call for fair and equitable distribution of vaccines. We urge all member states to support the proposal for a temporary waiver of certain provisions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights to allow more countries, particularly low-and middle-incomecountries, to produce COVID-19 vaccines.In thisinterconnected world, no country is safe until everycountryis safe
South Africa calls for equitable distribution of vaccines, and temporary waiver of IPR
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www.diplomacy.edu www.diplomacy.eduUruguay.pdf10
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hans rusling factfulnesswhere he clearly showspositive evolution of humanity
Heard about this book? ||JovanK||
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i need to emphasize that we needmechanisms for financingso that countries can have accessto and make progress with sustainabledevelopment and protection of theenvironment
How to advance on climate change: financing for countries to make progress on sustainable development and environment protection
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health of the planetwe've heardstatements we've participated inconferences we've undertaken commitmentsnow it's timeto move toaction and practice
The three elements that are impacting people's freedom during the pandemic:
- Climate change. We need to go beyond words, and take action
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violation of human rights by governmentsthat belong to this organizationand we're clear that they're respectfulof the principle of non-intervention weare respectful of that but we also needto understandthatwe cannot remain silent about theseviolations we must announce them
The three elements that are impacting people's freedom during the pandemic:
- Human rights violations. Again, respectful of the fact that this can verge onto other countries' internal affairs, but still, these issues need to be brought up
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governments needed to protect theirpeople that was the first thing we hadto do was protect our compatriots butalso we needed to be aware or alert tothe fact that that protectionshould not then become protectionismwe needed freedom to tradefreedom to competefor excellency and competition foraccess to markets
The three elements that are impacting people's freedom during the pandemic:
- Governments' need to protect their citizens. This should not become protectionism, though. There needs to be open access to markets.
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e could also see it reflectedin acts unknown to the larger public
Good deeds the government did for the benefit of its people, without flaunting them
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of course here what we're talking aboutis the internal policies
In explaining how state presence and individual freedom can sit together, Uruguay's premier is conscious of the fact that such discussions can verge on internal affairs of countries. But, he says, this doesn't mean that the international community shouldn't talk about these issues.
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s this falsedichotomy between the presence of thestate and individualfreedom
Individual freedom and state 'presence' (control?) are a false dichotomy, according to Uruguay's premier. Why? Because successful governments provide people with access to the tools they need to exercise their individual freedom, rather than tools which take that freedom away. So the two – state presence and freedom – can co-exist
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uruguayhas an immense democraticvocation and very much values individualfreedomfreedom as the most pure state of theindividual
Underlying value in Uruguay
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humanity showed its capacityto adaptand survive a crisis of such dimensionsand let me saythat that's the best version that we'reliving
Shows hope for humanity's future
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www.diplomacy.edu www.diplomacy.edu
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the kingdom stresses the importance of11:14making the middle east11:16and a region free of all weapons of mass11:02destruction we therefore support11:22international efforts aimed at11:24preventing iran from developing a11:26nuclear weapon we are very concerned at11:03iranian steps that go counter to its11:34commitments
On Iran's nuclear weapon programme
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non-interference in the internal affairs
Third time this is mentioned
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ict infrastructure in finding solutionsfor energy
Saudi has invested in local ICT infrastructure for (presumably alternative sources of (energy)
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thegreen middle east initiativethe cyclical carbon economy initiative
The three Saudi initiatives to combating climate change:
- Green Saudi initiative
- Green Middle East initiative
- Cyclical Carbon Economy initiative
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we are thelargestdonor statein terms of humanitarian and developmentassistance at the arab and islamic leve
Largest donor state in covid recovery in Arab region
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COP 26, therefore, should result in ambitious and actionable commitments.•Suriname calls on developed countries, to recommit to the 100 billion US dollars per year, to support developing countries, as agreed in the 2015 Paris Agreement.•In this regard, I stress the importance of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) and the need, to support its activities, aimed at protecting the Amazon rainforestand its biodiversity
On climate change, Suriname calls for 3 things:
- That COP 26 results in actionable commitments
- That developed countries recommit to US$100 billion per year to support developing countries
- That ACTO activities (to protect the Amazon) are supported
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In the case of my country, Suriname, and the countries, with low-lying coastal areas, we are committed, to fighting climate change, because we are particularly vulnerable, even though, we have contributed, the least, to this problem. •Suriname is a High Forest, Low Deforestation country, with a forest coverage of approx. 93%. •Suriname significantly contributes, to the mitigation of the effects of climate change. •We are one, of the few carbons negative rating countries, in the world
Climate change a major priority. Suriname, with low-lying coastal areas, and therefore among the most impacted, is one of the most significant contributor to mitigating climate change effects (a bit ironic for the country)
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In achieving these objectives, we must allow countries, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, to develop sustainable economies, without obstacles. •Isolation and trade blockades, such as, in the case of Cuba, in my own region, undermine these principles and are counterproductive, to achieving these goals
Post-covid economic recovery should also be obstacle-free. No isolation and trade blockades, such as in the case of Cuba
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uriname supports the call for a stronger and more effective United Nations.•A restructured and revitalized United Nations must ensure, that the organization, remainsthe source of redress, for the international community, and home, to international justice and equitable decision-making
Calling for a stronger UN (not saying how)
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Currently, we face unrealistic, unfair, and counterproductive classification instruments.•Suriname looks forward to new substantive methods of financial support, based on the socio-economic reality, of the countries concerned.• At the same time, the vulnerabilities of countries, should be taken into account. •I call on all, to support the multi-dimensional vulnerability index, as proposed by SIDS(Small Island Developing States) andremove bureaucracy in supporting these states.
Post-covid recovery also means receiving financial support
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Mr. President, we must develop a post COVID-strategy, with a focus on:oDeveloping an effective strategy to improve vaccination levels in our societies.oRebuilding the economy;oAnd establishing a COVID 19 recovery fund, with support of the international financial institutions and the private sector;•We cannot go back, to what we were used to, but rather focus on:oHow we organize ourselves, for the “new normal”, with COVID-19 as part of our lives; oRemoving barriers, for ease of doing business and investments
Post-covid strategy needs to focus on economic recovery
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Mr. President, the exposed weaknesses of our health systems, must be addressed, with innovative measures, with the use of modern technology and international cooperation.•Allow me, as we go forward, to underscore the importance of using science andtechnology, for peaceful purposes
Modern tech can help address the exposed weakness in health systems, as long as they are used for peaceful purposes
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Multilateralism and international solidarity came under pressure.•It has unveiled weaknesses of the effectiveness of our international mechanisms, andglobal legal infrastructure.•Regretfully the principle of collective effort and responsibility, was replaced by a more individual approach. •One to protect the nation first.
COVID-19 showed how the principle of collective responsibility was replaced by individualism (my country first).
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One year ago, the new government of Suriname, under my leadership, took office, and had to deal with several financial and economic challenges. •Amidst theclimate changechallenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic, my country is also confronted with a challenging fiscal choice, between servicing, an increased sovereign debt, or to spend more in health, education, and the livelihoods of our citizens.•In order, to get the tremendous foreign debt under control and make our economy healthy again, my country had decided, to develop a comprehensive recovery plan, which at staff level, has been approved by the IMF, and we look forward to Board Level approval as soon as possible. •Suriname, is also at the cusp, of attracting substantial foreign direct investments, particularly in the extractive industry, agriculture and tourism. •For this purpose, the enabling environment, is being prepared, including the development of a local content policy and a new investment code, to facilitate these investments.•Therefore, I am inviting the international business community, to invest in my beautiful country and contribute, to sustainable development and the earmarked transition towards a green economy.
National policy priorities for Suriname: recovering from foreign debt, and attracting FDI (industry, agriculture, tourism)
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