STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR J.ENKHSAIKHAN IN THE
PLENARY ON AGENDA ITEM 33 entitled
"Support by the United Nations system of the efforts of Governments to promote and Consolidate new or restored Democracies"
 

New York, 23 November, 1998

 
Mr. President,

 My delegation welcomes the Secretary-General’s report on item, "Support by the United Nations Systems of the Efforts of Governments to Promote and Consolidate New or Restored Democracies" as contained in document A/53/554. We also welcome the outcome of the Ministerial meeting of participant countries of the Third International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, held on 22 September, at the United Nations.

 As we all are aware, the meeting provided the opportunity for assessing the progress achieved in the implementation of recommendations of the Third International Conference and endorsed the follow-up mechanisms. As mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report, the follow-up mechanism underlines  the progress made to improve coordination between representatives of the Governments, the United Nations system and the civil society.

 My delegation also appreciates the creation of a Web site on democratization and governance which is linked to the Web site created by the UNDP.
 

Mr. President,

 With a view to contributing to the development of a plan of action for the implementation of the recommendations of the Bucharest Conference, the Government of Mongolia has been constantly taking measures to promote democracy  and democratization  and to that end it  has widely disseminated the final document of the Bucharest Conference.  An international symposium on "Education for Democracy" with the support of UNDP would be held  soon. Publication of a book entitled Democracy in Mongolia reflecting the Mongolia’s  experience in major transformation  is underway. Mongolia will also fully  implement the project on "Decentralization and Democracy Support" in cooperation with the UNDP.
 

Mr. President,

  The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action clearly points out  that "democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives.” It is also stated in the "Agenda for Development" that efforts to promote democracy and good governance are fundamental for consolidation of peace and development.

 International  experience vividly demonstrates  that without good governance - without the rule of law, predictable administration, legitimate power, and responsive regulation - no amount of funding, no short-term economic miracle  alone can set the developing world on the path to prosperity.
 

Mr. President,

 Mongolia is continuing to pursue its policy of  political and economic reforms. Mongolia’s commitment to  the principles of democracy, liberalism and market economy is irreversible, despite the current  difficulties of the transition period. Major policy priorities in the future would continue to be further  strengthening of democratic institutions, broadening of the basis of political stability, further decentralization, acceleration of privatization in the economic field and fuller social protection of the population, especially its vulnerable groups.

 Mongolia’s democracy is still in its maturation stage. Though the Government is fostering  an open and participatory democracy, not all groups and individuals are yet able to realize their  economic, social and political potential, and not all  feel that they are sharing the benefits of an open and democratic society. Indeed, political democratization alone is  not sufficient to ensure the participation of the poor and vulnerable in the economy, though it compels the government to take heed of these groups’ concerns. Weak economic and social  infrastructures,  and low incomes mean that many people in remote rural areas still live in isolation from the mainstream of economic and social developments.

 In order to overcome the existing difficulties in a foreseeable future, external assistance and support would  remain important.
 

Mr. President,

 Mongolia agrees that democracy is not a model to be copied or imposed, but rather a goal to be attained, and that the pace at which democratization can proceed is dependent on a variety of political, economic, social and cultural factors. In this respect, the Secretary-General has rightly expressed  in his statement that "there is no democratic model. Every democracy, like each individual, has its own character-depending on specific political, social and economic circumstances, cultures and traditions. All democracies, like all human beings, have their own pace of development. There will be progress, but there will also be setbacks and periods of stagnation."
 

Mr. President,

 In conclusion, my delegation would like to thank the Government of Benin for its gracious offer to host the Fourth International Conference. Mongolia fully supports the convening of these international conferences at regular intervals, seeing in them a valuable fora for  exchange of experience and for  cooperation. Once again, I would like to express Mongolia’s readiness to host one of the forthcoming conferences in Ulaanbaatar.
 
 Finally, Mr. President, as a co-sponsor of the draft resolution A/53/L.38, that was introduced today by the distinguished representative of Romania, my delegation expresses the hope that it would be adopted without a vote,  just  like in previous years.
 

Thank You, Mr. President.