Đukanović in New York: The world at a crossroads, to make a step towards a safer future

Despite numerous challenges, Montenegro remains determined to defend civil, inclusive, multi-ethnic and European democracy and to be proof that multi-ethnic democracy in the Balkans is possible and is the only guarantee of prosperity, said President Milo Đukanović at the general debate of the 76th session of the General Assembly. of the United Nations.

Đukanović pointed out the danger of destabilization of the Western Balkans and the "narrowing of the horizon of its European perspective".

The president assessed that the world is at a crossroads - or, as he said, it will move towards further isolationism and erosion of trust, tolerating the rise of xenophobia, nationalism and right-wing ideas, ignoring alarming warnings about the state of the environment, tacitly accepting the rise of inequality in all fields, or, on the other hand, a step forward will be made towards a safer and better future for everyone.

He said, among other things, that the coronavirus pandemic is the biggest crisis since the founding of the World Organization, but that lessons can be learned from every crisis with a mature and responsible approach, the president's office announced.

We are transcribing Đukanović's speech in its entirety:

"Mr. Chairman,

Secretary General,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honor to address you on behalf of Montenegro and once again confirm the unshakable commitment to the principles and principles of the Charter, and the mission and goals of the World Organization.

It is a great pleasure to be in this room with you again, despite the risks and fears in the conditions of the pandemic, determined to strongly affirm that multilateralism continues to live.

Thank you to the United Nations Secretariat and the host country services for their enormous efforts to ensure that the General Debate is not only a demonstration of hope and confidence that the world will overcome the pandemic, but also a safe and secure event for all participants.

The activities of the United Nations in providing much-needed medical and humanitarian aid, as well as significant support in treating the severe socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, unequivocally confirm their important role in the modern world. Today, more than ever, it is clear that global challenges can be successfully answered precisely and only in this way - globally - by joint and coordinated action of all of us, at the center of which must be none other than the United Nations.

Excellencies,

Enormous problems and crises that, unfortunately, only multiply, require strong leadership. Without leadership, the world is unable to provide what our citizens expect and claim. Unfortunately for us, in recent years the world has been facing a crisis of leadership. We observe its consequences in almost all spheres of global relations. Fragmentation and a national approach still dominate the behavior of key international actors. Instead of common concrete actions, today in the world we share only common concerns more and more often.

Clear vision and commitment, quality and continuity, efficiency and effectiveness, cooperation and solidarity, determination and responsibility - this is the only way to eliminate growing global problems - from the pandemic and climate change, to hunger and migration, human rights violations and humanitarian crises. In this regard, you will always have an open and reliable partner in Montenegro.

Mr. Speaker,

The topic of this year's debate refers to the generally accepted point of view that understanding and adequately treating the multidimensional consequences of the pandemic in order to build a sustainable future will largely mark the future actions and behavior of states and other international entities. It is clear that strengthened multilateralism and revitalization of the United Nations are badly needed. A step in that direction is the Secretary-General's initiative to respond to health emergencies, social and economic consequences of the pandemic by establishing the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund and the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan, which we strongly welcome. The answer must be one of solidarity and equal access.

The Covid-19 pandemic is the biggest crisis since the founding of the World Organization. However, with a mature and responsible approach, we can draw lessons from every crisis - this time it is one that loudly reminds us of the importance of togetherness and international solidarity in finding global solutions. The world, it seems, is at a crossroads - either we will move towards further isolationism and erosion of trust, tolerating the rise of xenophobia, nationalism and right-wing ideas, ignoring alarming warnings about the state of the environment, tacitly accepting the rise of inequality in all fields, or, on the other hand, to make a step towards a safer and better future for everyone and start on the path of a "common agenda" - towards what Secretary General Guterres said "for the people, for the planet, for prosperity and for peace". For a future that will be based on the highest values ​​of equality and justice, on responsibility and solidarity, and not on retrograde ideologies, selfishness and cheap populism.

I am sure that between these two perspectives we must not have a dilemma. We - the leaders and our citizens - have a unique opportunity to use the current crisis as a flywheel towards building a greener, fairer and more sustainable world.

This will require effective and strengthened multilateralism, with rhetoric giving way to action. A new social worldview within states and a renewed global agreement between states is needed to overcome existing geostrategic divisions and dysfunctional international relations. Recovery from the pandemic and revitalized multilateralism must be based on fair globalization, respect for human rights and the dignity of all, environmental protection and a responsible attitude towards nature, on results that will be measured by humane and not exclusively economic parameters. Our goal must be peace, but not as the mere absence of war and development not exclusively for profit. It must be peace and progress that mean reaching the highest democratic standards and quality of life for all, current and future generations.

In step with the strengthening of the multilateral approach, it is necessary to work on strengthening cooperation in the digital domain, especially now that we are witnessing the impact of technology on the process of recovery from the crisis and the realization of sustainable development goals.

Montenegro will continue to support efforts to implement the reform agenda within the framework of development, management and structures for the preservation of peace and security and the realization of Agenda 2030. We are convinced that only by taking the necessary reorganization steps, the World Organization's activities can be more efficient and flexible.

Mr. Speaker,

By supporting the initiative of Secretary General Guterres "Action for the Preservation of Peace", Montenegro once again demonstrated its political commitment to the mandates of peace operations and their effective operation, especially in terms of the protection of civilians. We remain determined to contribute to the preservation and improvement of international peace and security as much as possible, as well as to expand our participation in UN humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.

Due to the obvious deterioration of the overall international security climate, the modernization of armed systems, as well as the collapse of some of the most important strategic instruments in this domain, the international architecture for disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control is under significant pressure. And this is what Montenegro, as a responsible member of the UN and a member of NATO, draws attention to. Supporting the implementation and strengthening and further development of multilateral treaties in the field of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control must be imperative for all of us.

Equally, Montenegro will continue to work towards the integration of human rights and the gender perspective in all aspects of the work of the UN, defend the universality of international human rights law and the independence of the human rights system. As a candidate with real chances for membership in the Human Rights Council, we are advocating for convergence of agendas and better synergy between Geneva and New York. Only in this way will we be able to react in a timely manner and prevent mass violations that continue to occur and not so rarely shock the world public. Until we do, we will continue to operate post festum almost regularly, spending resources predominantly on de-escalation and humanitarian crises, rather than on management and prevention.

In this light, we also observe the evident deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the face of a potentially new, stronger wave of the migrant crisis, which will undoubtedly have regional and global repercussions. We appeal that the response to the refugee and migrant crisis must be global and with shared responsibility, as we have foreseen in the global agreements for refugees and migrants. We must cooperate in finding solutions and help both the receiving and the countries of origin equally. As the only ex-yu republic on whose territory there was no war during the conflict in the 90s, and which received over 100 thousand refugees and displaced persons - more than 20% of our total population, Montenegro today as a member of the UN can hardly understand and accept different treatment to solidarity and help to the most vulnerable.

Excellencies,

We are witnessing a growing climate and environmental crisis. The High Commissioner for Human Rights recently presented in Geneva very worrying findings about the state of human rights in the world in the context of the environment. Climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity will by far represent the most difficult challenge for human rights in our era, the High Commissioner said, clearly recognizing human activity as one of the factors, but at the same time the absence of real activities.

The full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement is crucial for the best possible recovery from the pandemic and preparing the world for future systemic shocks. That is why it is of particular importance that, in anticipation of the Summit and Conference in Glasgow in November of this year, an additional level of ambition is mobilized in all countries to achieve long-term goals for reducing global warming. Although its share in global gas emissions is insignificant, in December 2020, Montenegro further increased its climate ambition, thereby confirming a strong and steady commitment to adequately treating climate challenges. We expect that further activities at the national level will create space for new, more ambitious steps forward. In this direction, it is extremely important to integrate the component of action that will be based on human rights, both when new climate ambitions are determined, but also in defining a new global framework for biodiversity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year, Montenegro marked 15 years since the restoration of independence and the time when the Montenegrin flag was first flown on the East River. We have traveled a demanding path from the act of reception, which was the broadest confirmation of the recognition of renewed statehood, the positioning of Montenegro on the main lines of action of the UN and key foreign policy partners, to today's visibility, recognition and affirmation that far exceed the size of the country.

That path was never easy. Especially not in the Balkans, which, burdened by the past, even today does not cease to be a place of conflicting interests, geostrategic competitions, an eternal subject of concern of various international actors, but not always the necessary and timely attention.

Excellencies,

Challenges and threats to multi-ethnic democracy in the Balkans are no less even today. The Western Balkans is once again the scene of conflicting geopolitical interests, the consequence of which is the slowing down of the integration of the Western Balkan societies into their natural European environment, the undermining of trust and the delay in the adoption of European values. This confusion not only leads to stagnation and further backwardness in the development of this European region, but also opens up space for the restoration of destructive theories that, due to backwardness, this region cannot live as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious community, nor provide the functionality of states. Such a constructed thesis is especially intended to be imputed to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also to other smaller states in the region, in order to create an alibi for the renewal of large-state nationalist projects that in the '90s led to a war in this area with close to 150 human victims.

The determination to oppose such retrograde and dangerous ideas has not weakened. That is why even today, from this place, Montenegro warns of the renewed danger of destabilization of the Western Balkans, and the narrowing of the horizon of its European perspective.

Montenegro persevered and built a better future for all citizens, on the basis of equality and without discrimination. It has built and continues to build relationships of trust and cooperation with its neighbors. It was, as the highest officials of our hosts said, an oasis of peace in the Balkans during the wartime nineties. As a contributor to regional security, it became a member of NATO and is a leader in the process of European integration. Today, despite numerous challenges, Montenegro remains determined to defend civil, inclusive, multi-ethnic and European democracy and to be proof that multi-ethnic democracy in the Balkans is possible and the only guarantee of prosperity.

Montenegro will remain loyal to such commitment and strongly committed to the values ​​of multilateralism, friendly and open cooperation, further democratic consolidation and strengthening of the rule of law, which, among other things, will lead to the strengthening of the partnership with the World Organization.

Thank you for your attention."