United Nations General Assembly 64th Session (2009): First Committee

The Reaching Critical Will website is a great resource on the UNGA First Committee. The link to their website is: http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/1com/1com09.html

*****

All First Committee documents related to Africa appear in the right-hand column of the ISS' WMD Blog (below the ISS Today Articles section). This section will be regularly updated as information is made available.

UNSCR 1887 (2009)

Resolution 1887 (2009)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 6191st meeting on 24 September 2009

"The Security Council,

Resolving to seek a safer world for all and to create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons, in accordance with the goals of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), in a way that promotes international stability, and based on the principle of undiminished security for all,

Reaffirming the Statement of its President adopted at the Council’s meeting at the level of Heads of State and Government on 31 January 1992 (S/23500), including the need for all Member States to fulfil their obligations in relation to arms control and disarmament and to prevent proliferation in all its aspects of all weapons of mass destruction,

Recalling also that the above Statement (S/23500) underlined the need for all Member States to resolve peacefully in accordance with the Charter any problems in that context threatening or disrupting the maintenance of regional and global stability,

Reaffirming that proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and their means of delivery, constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

Bearing in mind the responsibilities of other organs of the United Nations and relevant international organizations in the field of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation, as well as the Conference on Disarmament, and supporting them to continue to play their due roles,

Underlining that the NPT remains the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy..."

For full text: http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?u=1416741&tr77

Address by the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Mr Jacob Zuma to the 64th United Nations (UN) General Assembly debate

23 September 2009

Your Excellency, the President of the General Assembly
Your Excellency, the Secretary General of the United Nations
Your Excellencies and Your Majesties
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and gentlemen

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the adoption, in 1989, of UN General Assembly Resolution 44/27 on “International Solidarity with the Liberation Struggle in South Africa”.

This was one of numerous resolutions by the General Assembly in which the nations of the world pledged their support for the eradication of apartheid.

Within months of the adoption of this important resolution, the South African liberation movements were unbanned.

Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were released.

The stage was thus set for the negotiations that would eventually lead to the achievement of freedom and democracy in our country.

The role of the United Nations in the struggle to end apartheid is an exceptional example of the collective political will of the international community. It represented the victory of unity over division, of negotiation over confrontation. It represented a clear commitment to the promotion of basic human rights.

As South Africans we will always be grateful for that international solidarity.

Since the advent of democracy in 1994, we have built a solid, stable democracy, founded on the principles of unity, non-sexism, non-racialism and democracy. As we continue to build our young nation we are cognisant of the need for a conducive international environment. It is for this reason that we are committed to play our part with the rest of the international community to take forward the fight against poverty and to respond to the crises that are confronting the world today.

We must act now, together, to halt the degradation of the environment. We must act now, together, to prevent the global economic crisis from undoing the gains that we have achieved over decades.

Mr President,

The eradication of poverty must remain central to the work of the United Nations. It must continue to work harder to unite the world to work to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poor and marginalised. The global economic meltdown has dealt a heavy blow to world efforts to eradicate poverty. But it should not diminish our resolve.

The United Nations must play a significant role in finding solutions to the global economic crisis. The crisis should not be an excuse to delay further action on the delivery of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Rather, it should urge us to double our efforts to achieve greater and faster progress. Developing countries did not cause the economic crisis, but they are severely affected by it.

The crisis has further highlighted the urgent need for the fundamental reform of the Bretton Woods institutions, including their mandate, scope, governance and responsiveness. These institutions have been unrepresentative since their formation a half century ago.

The current arrangements are inadequate and unfair. They do not reflect the changes that have taken place in the global economy. We should ensure that the election of the heads of all these institutions is more democratic, and opens opportunities to developing countries.

The emerging and developing economies, including the poorest, must have a greater voice and greater participation in these institutions. Similarly, if we are to eradicate poverty there is an urgent need to conclude the Doha Round of trade negotiations in a manner that prioritises development.

Mr President,

We continue to work for an African renewal, and welcome the ongoing support of the UN system in addressing the challenges facing the continent. Now more than ever, it is necessary for the United Nations to ensure that the international community collectively implements the commitments made to Africa.

We have a viable socio-economic development blueprint, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which should be used in mobilising resources for Africa.

We appreciate that there can be no lasting peace without development, and no development without security.

Over the last 20 years, Africa has made much progress in working to end conflicts and to promote democratic practices and institutions. However, some pockets of conflict persist. For its part, South Africa has been engaged in mediation, conflict prevention and peacekeeping on the continent in, among others, Burundi, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The African Union (AU) has the political will to resolve conflicts on the continent. However, it lacks resources to run effective peacekeeping interventions and conflict prevention mechanisms.

We appeal for support for African peace making efforts, and for greater cooperation between the UN and the AU. In this regard, we call on the UN General Assembly to align itself with AU and SADC resolutions that do not recognise governments that come into power by force or other unconstitutional means.

Mr President,

The search for global peace, stability and security cannot be separated from the pursuit of justice, self-determination, human rights and economic development. We need to constantly reaffirm the inalienable human rights of all people. We call for the full and effective implementation of the outcomes of World Conference against Racism and the subsequent Durban Review Conference.

It is of concern that at the close of the first decade of the 21st century there are still nations that find their lands occupied and their people oppressed. We are convinced that urgent and concrete steps are needed to resolve the situation in Western Sahara. We must work with similar urgency towards the achievement, through negotiations, of a peaceful co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians.

This must be based on the creation of a viable Palestinian state, existing side-by-side with Israel, within the 1967 borders, which are secure and internationally-recognised.

We also call for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. We also appreciate the recent pronouncements by some nuclear weapon states on their intentions to reduce their nuclear arsenals.

Let us take up this new momentum and utilise the opportunity of the 2010 Review Conference to recommit ourselves to the full implementation of obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

We should ensure a balance between the objectives of disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Mr President,

For Africa, the impact of climate change is devastating, and will severely undermine development and poverty eradication efforts. We need to act now to ensure that there is an inclusive, fair and effective global agreement on this critical challenge.

The agreement must recognise that solving the climate problem cannot be separated from the struggle to eradicate poverty. Developed countries bear the greatest responsibility for climate change and its impact. We must therefore strike a balance between adaptation and mitigation.

Our goal should be to significantly reduce emissions across the globe without constraining development in the countries of the South.

Developed countries must make ambitious, quantified, and legally-binding emission reduction commitments that are in line with science and that address their historical responsibilities.

At Copenhagen there needs to be agreement on new, additional, sustainable and predictable financing for adaptation. This should be for programmes that reduce the vulnerability of developing countries to the effects of climate change.

Mr President,

In a world that is increasingly inter-connected and inter-dependent, international problems can only be effectively resolved through multilateral cooperation.

The UN must continue to be at the centre of multilateralism. But it needs to be reformed if it is to carry out its mandate effectively, efficiently and transparently. We remain committed to the view that no reform of the United Nations can be complete without the fundamental reform of the Security Council.

It must be representative of the international community and must reflect the geopolitical realities of today. If the UN Security Council is not reformed, and does not have permanent representation for Africa, the legitimacy of the Council’s decisions will continuously be questioned.

As South Africa, we continue to advocate for an expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership.

Mr President,

Let me express our appreciation to the world for the celebration of the inaugural Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July this year. Scores of people engaged in a minimum of 67 minutes of voluntary action in the service of humanity, in honour of our icon, President Mandela.

The Non-Aligned Movement has joined the call for this General Assembly to declare 18 July as Nelson Mandela Day. This is in recognition of President Mandela’s contribution to the struggle for democracy and the cause of humanity, and to promote community service across the globe.

In this regard we hope that the General Assembly will adopt a consensus resolution in support of Nelson Mandela Day.

Mr President,

South Africa is privileged to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup in the middle of next year, which will be the first time that the tournament is held on African soil. We look forward to hosting the peoples of the world, who will enjoy unique African hospitality and vibrancy.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing president of the General Assembly for his leadership of the 63rd session of the Assembly.

I thank the General Assembly and Your Excellencies for the opportunity to address this esteemed gathering.

Working together as a global family we can do more to create a better and just world.

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency
23 September 2009

Source: http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2009/09092509251001.htm

(Picture: Rick Gershon AFP)

United States indicates its willingness to support Pebble Bed Modular Reactor research

By: Terence Creamer
Published: 16 Sep 09

The US government would support South African efforts to research the pebble-bed modular reactor (PBMR) nuclear technology as part of the multilateral next-generation nuclear plant and very high temperature gas reactor programmes, following the signing of a bilateral nuclear agreement earlier this week.

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu and South Africa's Energy Minister Dipuo Peters initialled the so-called "Agreement on Cooperation in Research and Development of Nuclear Energy" in Vienna, Austria, on September 14. The two officials were in the European capital to participate in the fifty-third general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the US Embassy in Pretoria, the American government indicated that the agreement would facilitate cooperation in the area of advanced nuclear energy systems and that the PBMR would likely be an area of "specific" cooperation.

The deal would also augment efforts to promote and maintain nuclear science and engineering infrastructure and skills, while research and development collaboration would focus on advanced technologies that could improve the cost, safety, and proliferation resistance of nuclear power systems.

The signing followed on from recent bilateral discussions, involving senior officials from both countries, which took place in Pretoria in August. These talks reportedly covered a broad range of nuclear energy, nonproliferation, and disarmament issues, following dialogue on the issues between Presidents Barack Obama and Jacob Zuma at the Group of eight (G-8) Summit in July.

It was not immediately apparent what the precise implications were for the PBMR Company, which was currently working on a new design for a demonstration plant, and which had also indicated its desire to evolve into South Africa's nuclear engineering and design authority should the country move ahead with the deployment of advanced third-generation pressure water reactors (PWRs).

The future of the PWR programme was currently uncertain, given severe funding challenges at State utility Eskom. In fact, the procurement process, which initially involved US-linked Westinghouse (also a shareholder in the PBMR Company) and Areva of France, was halted in late 2008 and had not been restarted, despite that fact that it now fell under the direct authority of the energy department.

It was also not clear whether the agreement had any implications for South Africa's possible re-entry into the area of nuclear fuel production. The South African government had indicated that it might be keen resume enrichment activities as part of uranium beneficiation aspirations. But this was a highly contested area, owing to nonproliferation concerns, and would require support for IAEA members and powerful countries such as the US.

In fact, the US statement emphasised the important role South Africa could play in building international consensus and momentum among nuclear and non nuclear weapons States in the area of nonproliferation and disarmament.

"As the only State to have developed and then given up its nuclear weapons, joining the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state, South Africa possesses unique credibility and perspective on these issues. The US looks forward to working with South Africa at the Nuclear Security Summit in April 2010 in Washington," the statement concluded.

This article was originally published by Engineering News Online

Source: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/print-version/us-indicates-its-willingness-to-support-pbmr-research-2009-09-16

Tribute paid to International Atomic Energy Agency's Mohamed ElBaradei

Tribute paid to ElBaradei

14 September 2009

The governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has paid tribute to director general Mohamed ElBaradei, ahead of the confirmation of his successor Yukiya Amano.

On 10 September ElBaradei said he was "humbled, grateful and honoured" by comments from the 35 board members. In a speech he recalled the challenges and successes of his 12 years at the head of the IAEA which has gone through a "metamorphosis" to "become a major player in the international community." A motion was approved that will see ElBaradei granted the lifelong title of Director General Emeritus.

Speaking to the board members he said: "We know the difference between what's right and what's wrong and we are all committed - meaning all of you - and we are absolutely determined to make sure that we do our utmost for the benefit of humanity." In trying to create the right environment for global development while preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons, the member states of the agency are "Working together knowing that, as a human family it is not a zero sum game - we are either going to win together or fail together."

And today on the opening day of the IAEA General Conference, a vote of member states confirmed Yukiya Amano as ElBaradei's replacement. Amano lauded ElBaradei's "tireless efforts and selfless dedication towards world peace and prosperity."

"As science and technology continue to advance, as knowledge expands and spreads, and as the movement of people and commodities becomes more salient, the world faces increasing risks of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. It is unlikely that this trend will ever be reversed, but rather it will continue to accelerate. Therefore, we must make further efforts to offset this trend by universalizing and further strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime, especially the IAEA's safeguards system."

Amano will take over from ElBaradei on 30 November. Funding remains a major concern for the organization, which must maintain many technical cooperation programs to enable full benefit is made of nuclear energy, while also conducting exhaustive checks to ensure no civil nuclear materials are ever diverted for military use.

Amano said: "Waste of resources, if there is any, must be eliminated. Communication between the secretariat and member states and between different branches of the secretariat must continue to be improved to enhance efficiency and remove duplication. These efforts are particularly needed should the General Conference approve the increase in the agency budget despite the difficult global economic situation."

Source: http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP_Tributes_paid_to_ElBaradei_1409091.html