Mr. Chairman,

 

My delegation appreciates this opportunity to express our views on Cluster Two issues, as discussed by the Secretary-General in section III of his report, “Freedom from fear”. The importance of the issues under this cluster can not be denied. However, while addressing these issues, we must take into account the interlinkages with the topics being considered under other clusters. As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, international security will not be achieved without also advancing the causes of development and human rights.

 

Mr. Chairman, we wish to make brief comments regarding some of the proposals under Cluster Two.

 

Collective security consensus

 

My delegation agrees with the Secretary-General’s notion of a new “collective security consensus”, based on the recognition that the international community faces interlinking threats and challenges that no State can counter by acting alone. Therefore, we agree that States should commit to implementing comprehensive strategies to confront the whole range of threats. This must include decisive action to address the current threats to international peace and security. However, it must also include concrete actions to address the challenges we face in eradicating poverty, fighting infectious diseases, and countering further destruction of the global environment. In small island developing States like my own, we are already facing the very real threat of being rendered non-existent by the effects of global climate change and sea-level rise. Therefore, we urge delegations to ensure that the Summit addresses the full range of threats facing the international community, in a balanced and comprehensive manner.

 

Multilateral framework for non-proliferation and disarmament

 

We welcome the Secretary-General’s call for further strengthening of the existing multilateral framework for non-proliferation and disarmament, and we hope that the Summit outcome will address both of these aspects. This should include pledging full compliance with the NPT, calling for universal adoption of the IAEA Model Additional Protocol, and urging all chemical-weapon States to expedite destruction of stockpiles.

Given that the Marshall Islands is still struggling to recover from the aftermath of the nuclear testing program that was conducted by the United States during the 1940’s and 50’s, we strongly support the Secretary-General’s call for leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the moratorium against nuclear testing. We also support the objective of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. In addition, the Summit should address the need for further steps towards complete nuclear disarmament. We look forward to discussion of these issues at the NPT Review Conference next month.

 

Terrorism

 

My delegation fully supports the comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy that has been outlined by the Secretary-General, and we join the call for all States to accede to the twelve international conventions against terrorism. We welcome the recent adoption by the General Assembly of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, and we urge all States to increase their efforts to reach a successful conclusion to the negotiations on the comprehensive convention on terrorism before the end of the sixtieth session. Further, we welcome the Secretary-General’s call for leaders to affirm that no cause justifies the targeting or deliberate killing of civilians or non-combatants.

 

Peacebuilding Commission

 

The proposal to establish a Peacebuilding Commission has received a high level of support. We join in endorsing this idea, and we were pleased to receive the Secretary-General’s explanatory note yesterday, setting out the suggested functions and modalities for the Commission. Given the short time frame, we are still examining these new details, but we look forward to further discussions on the form, structure and functions of the Commission, in particular its membership and placement within the UN system.

 

Sanctions

 

Finally, we agree with the Secretary-General regarding the need to strengthen States’ capacity to effectively implement and enforce sanctions imposed by the Security Council. This is particularly true for many small island developing States (SIDS), such as the Marshall Islands, where the lack of human and financial resources imposes considerable constraints on the government’s ability to implement effective border security measures or to ensure adequate monitoring of our vast maritime zones. It is imperative that the international community provide assistance to help strengthen SIDS’ capacity to undertake such measures. This would contribute to the success of sanctions regimes, which in turn would enhance overall prospects for international peace and security.

 

Mr. Chairman, these are the views of my delegation on a few issues of particular concern. We look forward to working with you and your co-facilitators, and assure you of our cooperation in this ongoing process.  Thank you.