DOCSLIB.ORG

Security Council Provisional Fifty-Ninth Year

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Security Council Provisional Fifty-Ninth Year United Nations S/PV.4899 Security Council Provisional Fifty-ninth year 4899th meeting Friday, 23 January 2004, 10 a.m. New York President: Mr. Muñoz ....................................... (Chile) Members: Algeria .......................................... Mr. Baali Angola .......................................... Mr. Gaspar Martins Benin ........................................... Mr. Adechi Brazil ........................................... Mr. Sardenberg China ........................................... Mr. Zhang Yishan France .......................................... Mr. De La Sablière Germany ........................................ Mr. Pleuger Pakistan ......................................... Mr. Akram Philippines ....................................... Mr. Baja Romania ......................................... Mr. Motoc Russian Federation ................................. Mr. Konuzin Spain ........................................... Mr. Arias United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ..... Sir Emyr Jones Parry United States of America ............................ Mr. Holliday Agenda Security Council mission Progress report of the Secretary-General on the recommendations of the Security Council mission to West Africa (S/2003/1147) This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room C-154A. 04-21753 (E) *0421753* S/PV.4899 The meeting was called to order at 10.20 a.m. I now give the floor to Mr. Tuliameni Kalomoh, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs. Adoption of the agenda Mr. Kalomoh: I thank you, Mr. President, for the The agenda was adopted. opportunity to provide an introduction of the Secretary- General’s progress report on the recommendations of Security Council mission the Security Council’s mission to West Africa (S/2003/1147). Progress report of the Secretary-General on the The progress report of the Secretary-General on recommendations of the Security Council the recommendations of the Security Council mission mission to West Africa (S/2003/1147) to West Africa, which is before the Council, points out The President (spoke in Spanish): I should like certain measures taken or envisaged in implementing to inform the Council that I have received letters from the Council’s recommendations on Guinea-Bissau, the representatives of Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The report Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Sierra Leone and the Syrian provides an initial assessment of how to address cross- Arab Republic, in which they request to be invited to cutting issues identified by the mission in the participate in the discussion of the item on the subregion. My briefing will also take into account Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual elements of some recent developments in the practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to aforementioned countries, which the mission visited invite those representatives to participate in the since the publication of the report. discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance As Council members will recall, the political with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 process in Guinea-Bissau for the preparation of of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. legislative elections is back on track after the junta-led There being no objection, it is so decided. Military Committee handed power to the transitional Government of national unity, made up of only civilian At the invitation of the President, the leaders. The report of the Secretary-General notes the representatives of the aforementioned countries declared commitment of the transitional Government to took the seats reserved for them at the side of the restore constitutional legality and to hold legislative Council Chamber. elections on 28 March 2004, to be followed by The President (spoke in Spanish): In accordance presidential elections in 2005. with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior Undoubtedly, those positive developments — and consultations, and in the absence of objection, I shall one can only reiterate an earlier call by the Security take it that the Security Council agrees to extend an Council to the international community to remain fully invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of engaged with Guinea-Bissau — are, indeed, encouraging. procedure to Mr. Tuliameni Kalomoh, Assistant Financial resources for the legislative elections are in Secretary-General for Political Affairs. place, and a number of Guinea-Bissau’s partners have There being no objection, it is so decided. provided assistance to address some of the critical social and economic needs facing the country. I invite Mr. Kalomoh to take a seat at the Council table. With respect to the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, about which the members of the Council heard a The Security Council will now begin its comprehensive briefing by the Department of consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) last week, the report meeting in accordance with the understanding reached indicates that implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis in its prior consultations. Agreement continues to be hampered by the parties’ Members of the Council have before them unwillingness to abide fully by the spirit and the letter document S/2003/1147, which contains the progress of the Agreement. But encouraging progress has been report of the Secretary-General on the recommendations made, and due recognition must be given to that of the Security Council mission to West Africa. progress. The peace process was stalled from September to early December 2003 due to a stand-off 2 S/PV.4899 between the Government and the Forces nouvelles over the resource constraints of the security forces. the procedures used in the appointment of the Ministers However, much remains to be done to ensure that the of Defence and National Security. However, it is planned withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in encouraging to note in early December 2003, the Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) takes into account the Ivorian parties recommitted themselves to the Government’s ability to assume primary responsibility implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, for national security. Recently, members of the Security and the ministers of the Forces nouvelles have since Council approved the Secretary-General’s returned to the Government and resumed their posts in recommendation contained in his twentieth report to the Government of National Reconciliation. The fact the Security Council on UNAMSIL (S/2003/1201) to that the peace process is back on track clearly send an assessment mission to Sierra Leone in demonstrates the sustained commitment of the February 2004 concerning a residual presence of the Economic Community of West African States United Nations and the nature and scope of that United (ECOWAS) and the international community, including Nations presence after the withdrawal of UNAMSIL the recent DPKO-led assessment mission to Côte from Sierra Leone. d’Ivoire to prepare recommendations on how the Some recent developments contributing to the United Nations presence in the country could be consolidation of the peace process include the official reinforced and enhanced. To that end, the report completion of the disarmament, demobilization and welcomes the news that the Security Council is reintegration process and the successful ending of the considering a full-fledged peacekeeping operation for work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission at an initial period of 12 months. That is still under the end of last year. consideration by the Council. Let me briefly turn to the cross-border issues, which On Liberia, the report of the Secretary-General remain at the centre of the instability of the West African indicates that early and determined steps in the subregion. As a follow-up to the recommendation of the implementation of the peace process would augur well Security Council mission to the region, the Special for Liberia and would also contribute to the Representative of the Secretary-General for West consolidation of peace in neighbouring Sierra Leone Africa is in regular consultation with United Nations and the entire subregion of West Africa. As members political, peacekeeping and development missions in are aware, the United Nations Mission in Liberia the region in order to develop a holistic strategy to (UNMIL) is yet to attain its full troop strength, and the address the cross-border problems afflicting the report calls upon those Member States that have subregion. In this regard, the Secretary-General will, in promised troops to redeem their pledges as soon as coming weeks, submit a report to the Security Council possible. We are confident that in the shortest possible on cross-border and cross-cutting issues, with time — perhaps in the next month or two — UNMIL recommendations on how best to address them and will have acquired a substantial troop strength in the minimize the recurrence of instability in the region. country in order to begin the process of demobilization, disarmament and reintegration. That deployment would In conclusion, by and large, one can conclude that no
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Special Report No
    SPECIAL REPORT NO. 490 | FEBRUARY 2021 UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE w w w .usip.org North Korea in Africa: Historical Solidarity, China’s Role, and Sanctions Evasion By Benjamin R. Young Contents Introduction ...................................3 Historical Solidarity ......................4 The Role of China in North Korea’s Africa Policy .........7 Mutually Beneficial Relations and Shared Anti-Imperialism..... 10 Policy Recommendations .......... 13 The Unknown Soldier statue, constructed by North Korea, at the Heroes’ Acre memorial near Windhoek, Namibia. (Photo by Oliver Gerhard/Shutterstock) Summary • North Korea’s Africa policy is based African arms trade, construction of owing to African governments’ lax on historical linkages and mutually munitions factories, and illicit traf- sanctions enforcement and the beneficial relationships with African ficking of rhino horns and ivory. Kim family regime’s need for hard countries. Historical solidarity re- • China has been complicit in North currency. volving around anticolonialism and Korea’s illicit activities in Africa, es- • To curtail North Korea’s illicit activ- national self-reliance is an under- pecially in the construction and de- ity in Africa, Western governments emphasized facet of North Korea– velopment of Uganda’s largest arms should take into account the histor- Africa partnerships. manufacturer and in allowing the il- ical solidarity between North Korea • As a result, many African countries legal trade of ivory and rhino horns and Africa, work closely with the Af- continue to have close ties with to pass through Chinese networks. rican Union, seek cooperation with Pyongyang despite United Nations • For its part, North Korea looks to China, and undercut North Korean sanctions on North Korea.
    [Show full text]
  • Budget Speech for VOTE 07 Ministry of International Relations And
    MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 07 FOR THE 2019-2020 FINANCIAL YEAR BY HON. NETUMBO NANDI-NDAITW AH, MP DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER APRIL 2019 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MIRCO 2019/2020 Budget Speech 1 MOTIVATION FOR THE 201912020 FINANCIAL YEAR FOR VOTE 7IMINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION 1. Nine months ago, Namibia lost its first Foreign Minister, Dr. Theo - Ben Gurirab. The Ministry lost its guru of diplomacy and I lost my mentor. The outpouring sympathy and messages of condolence received from all over the world speak to his international standing and contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security and sustainable development. Through the Dr. Theo Ben Gurirab Lecture Series, the Ministry will keep his legacy and teachings alive, thereby assisting the Namibian diplomats in particular, to follow in his footsteps. 2. Having said that, it is indeed a privilege for me to motivate the budget vote of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation. At this junction, I on behalf of the Deputy Minister, the Special Advisor, Executive Director, Ambassadors and High Commissioners and my own behalf wish to extend our appreciation to H.E. Dr Hage G. Geingob for continuing entrusting us with the responsibility of promoting and protecting Namibia's national interest in the world. Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members 3. Major changes occurring in the international operating environment not only offers Namibia with new opportunities but also present serious challenges, that have advanced to an extent that we can only ignore them at the peril of our national interest.
    [Show full text]
  • Security Council Provisional Fifty-Sixth Year
    United Nations S/PV.4410 Security Council Provisional Fifty-sixth year 4410th meeting Friday, 9 November 2001, 11.15 a.m. New York President: Mr. Patterson .................................... (Jamaica) Members: Bangladesh ...................................... Mr. Amin China .......................................... Mr. Wang Yingfan Colombia ....................................... Mr. Valdivieso France .......................................... Mr. Levitte Ireland ......................................... Mr. Corr Mali ........................................... Mr. Ouane Mauritius ....................................... Mr. Koonjul Norway ......................................... Mr. Kolby Russian Federation ................................ Mr. Granovsky Singapore ....................................... Mr. Mahbubani Tunisia ......................................... Mr. Mejdoub Ukraine ......................................... Mr. Krokhmal United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland .... Sir Jeremy Greenstock United States of America ........................... Mr. Cunningham Agenda The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation
    [Show full text]
  • List of Delegations to the Seventieth Session of the General Assembly
    UNITED NATIONS ST /SG/SER.C/L.624 _____________________________________________________________________________ Secretariat Distr.: Limited 18 December 2015 PROTOCOL AND LIAISON SERVICE LIST OF DELEGATIONS TO THE SEVENTIETH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY I. MEMBER STATES Page Page Afghanistan......................................................................... 5 Chile ................................................................................. 47 Albania ............................................................................... 6 China ................................................................................ 49 Algeria ................................................................................ 7 Colombia .......................................................................... 50 Andorra ............................................................................... 8 Comoros ........................................................................... 51 Angola ................................................................................ 9 Congo ............................................................................... 52 Antigua and Barbuda ........................................................ 11 Costa Rica ........................................................................ 53 Argentina .......................................................................... 12 Côte d’Ivoire .................................................................... 54 Armenia ...........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • URGENT International Conference on the Great Lakes Region
    & Note to Mr. Kalomoh URGENT International Conference on the Great Lakes Region 1. On behalf of the Secretary-General, thank you for your note of 27 May. 2. The Secretary-General would prefer to send letters to the leaders of the core countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) that object to the inclusion of Angola and the Republic of Congo as full members of the Conference. 3. I would be grateful if the letters could be prepared by 3 June. Thank you. Sflqbsfl Riza 1 June 2004 Mr. Prendergast Mr. Guehenno Mr. Fall Mr. Menkerios Mr. Hayford EOSG / CENTRAL /i/i iO H i E *. t» anS.cfc.y Note to the Secretary-General ... * EXECUTIVE OFFICE ^ L OFTHESECRETARY-GENFRM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GREAT LAKES REGION " 1. JQie non-resolution of theL question of participation in the Conference is delaying progress in the preparatory process. Initially participants were divided into two groups of countries: (i) core countries (Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia); and (ii) observers. However, after some neighbouring countries (including Angola and RoC) requested full participation in the process, the core countries decided to grant all 11 neighbours a hybrid status of co-opted members instead of admitting them in the core group. As co-opted members, the neighbouring countries will have more rights than mere observers but will not participate hi decision-making as full members do. 2. Angola and RoC are not contentwith the status of co-opted member and are now insisting that i they shouldl5ecome full members of the core group.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary of AG-066 United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL)
    Summary of AG-066 United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) Title United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) Active Dates 1992-1998 Administrative History The United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) was established on 22 September 1993 by Security Council Resolution 866 (1993). Its purpose was to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its efforts to end a civil war that had broken out in late 1989 by implementing, and impartially enforcing compliance with, the Cotonou Peace Agreement signed 23 July 1993. UNOMIL coordinated with the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), the peacekeeping force of ECOWAS, and an agreement defining the relationship between UNOMIL and ECOMOG was finalized in November 1993. UNOMIL, under the command of the Secretary-General, was led in the field by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) to Liberia. Serving as SRSG to Liberia were: Trevor Livingston Gordon-Somers of Jamaica (November 1992 – December 1994); Anthony Nyakyi of the United Republic of Tanzania (December 1994 - April 1997); and Tuliameni Kalomoh of Namibia (April – September 1997). UNOMIL was headquartered in Monrovia, Liberia, and was composed of military and civilian components. Command of the military component was entrusted to the Chief Military Observer (CMO), who reported to the Secretary-General through the Special Representative. The military component of UNOMIL monitored and verified compliance with the ceasefire, the embargo on delivery of arms and military equipment, as well as the cantonment, disarmament and demobilization of combatants. The civilian component included political, humanitarian, and electoral personnel. The electoral assistance element observed and verified the general and presidential elections, from the registration of voters to the voting itself.
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Official Records
    United Nations A/AC.183/PV.290 General Assembly Official Records Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People 290th meeting Friday, 25 November 2005, 11 a.m. New York Chairman: Mr. Badji .............................................. (Senegal) The meeting was called to order at 11.15 a.m. honours the Committee and, above all, illustrates your commitment to the promotion and attainment of the International Day of Solidarity with the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Palestinian People I now invite all participants to rise to observe a The Chairman (spoke in French): Today, the minute of silence in memory of all those who have Committee is holding a solemn meeting to observe the given their lives for the cause of the Palestinian people International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian and the return of peace between Israelis and People, in accordance with the provisions of General Palestinians. Assembly resolution 32/40 B of 2 December 1977. The members of the Committee observed a minute It is my honour and great pleasure to warmly of silence. welcome Mr. Jan Eliasson, President of the General The Chairman (spoke in French): Allow me now Assembly; Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the to make a statement on behalf of the Committee. United Nations; and Mr. Andrey Denisov, President of the Security Council. I should especially like to A sense of shared responsibility vis-à-vis the acknowledge the presence among us of, and issue of Palestine has brought us together today, on respectfully welcome, Mr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, Minister 29 November, as it does every year, to observe the for Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe Memorandum to the Sadc on the Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in Zimbabwe
    ZIMBABWE MEMORANDUM TO THE SADC ON THE DETERIORATING HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE Amnesty International is writing to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of State or Government in advance of their meeting in Blantyre, Malawi, on 13 to 15 January 2002 to urge the assembled leaders to take a firm stance on the escalating human rights crisis in Zimbabwe. There is a potential for the violent repression of political opposition to degenerate into civil war and a possibility of state-sponsored militias undermining any attempt to reassert the rule of law. We urge the SADC Presidents to deploy immediately a credible presence of human rights monitors -- in addition to election monitors from the SADC Parliamentary Forum to observe the presidential balloting in March 2002 -- to help avert further political killings, “disappearances”, torture and mass displacement of rural people. Amnesty International recalls former President Nelson Mandela’s unequivocal message to the assembled Southern African leaders at the 1997 SADC Summit, also held in Blantyre, in which he noted that although the principle of non-interference in a nation’s domestic affairs should be respected, SADC’s credibility depended in part on how it lived up to its human rights aspirations: “The right of citizens to participate unhindered in political activities in the country of their birthright is a non-negotiable basic principle to which we all subscribe... This democratic process is denied when political leaders, representing a legitimate body of opinion, are prevented from participating in political activity... We collectively cannot remain silent when political or civil movements are harassed and suppressed through harsh state action..
    [Show full text]
  • ASSEMBLY of the UNION Thirty-Third Ordinary Session 09-10 February 2020 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia DECISIONS, DECLARATIONS, RESOLUTIO
    UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P. O. Box 3243 Telephone: 5517 700 Fax: 5517844 Website: www.au.int SC26504 – 9/1 ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION Thirty-Third Ordinary Session 09-10 February 2020 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Assembly/AU/Dec.749-795(XXXIII) Assembly/AU/Decl.1-6(XXXIII) Assembly/AU/Res.1(XXXIII) Assembly/AU/Motion1(XXXIII) Original : English/French DECISIONS, DECLARATIONS, RESOLUTION AND MOTION Assembly/AU/Dec.749-795(XXXIII) Assembly/AU/Decl.1-6(XXXIII) Assembly/AU/Res.1(XXXIII) Assembly/AU/Motion1(XXXIII) Page i TABLE OF CONTENTS N° REFERENCE TITLE PAGES DÉCISIONS DECISION ON THE INSTITUTIONAL REFORM OF THE 1. Assembly/AU/Dec.749(XXXIII) AFRICAN UNION 1 DECISION ON THE STRUCTURES OF THE AFRICAN 2. Assembly/AU/Dec.750(XXXIII) UNION COMMISSION, ORGANS AND SPECIALIZED 1 AGENCIES DECISION ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE 3. Assembly/AU/Dec.751(XXXIII) AREA (AfCFTA) - Doc. Assembly/AU/4(XXXIII) 6 DECISION OF THE JOINT SITTING REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON SCALE OF ASSESSMENT 4. Assembly/AU/Dec.752(XXXIII) 3 AND CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE COMMITTEE OF FIFTEEN MINISTERS OF FINANCE (F15) DECISION ON THE REPORT OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL ON ITS ACTIVITIES AND THE STATE 5. Assembly/AU/Dec.753(XXXIII) 10 OF PEACE AND SECURITY IN AFRICA - Doc. Assembly/AU/5(XXXIII) DECISION ON THE OUTCOME OF THE 12TH ORDINARY 6. Assembly/AU/Dec.754(XXXIII) MEETING OF THE SPECIALISED TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 1 ON DEFENCE, SAFETY AND SECURITY DECISION ON THE FIFTH REPORT OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE AFRICAN UNION ON THE 7.
    [Show full text]
  • 1965-1988 Prof Peter Hitjitevi Katjavivi: 1941
    Katjavivi, PH PA 1 THE KATJAVIVI COLLECTION: 1965-1988 PROF PETER HITJITEVI KATJAVIVI: 1941 - Historical Background Professor Peter Katjavivi was born on 12 May 1941 in Okahandja, Namibia. He travelled into exile in 1966 and was part of the Dar es Salaam exiles that helped transform SWAPO into an international force in the struggle for the liberation of Namibia. Until 1979 he was a fulltime SWAPO activist running the London office and holding the movement’s Information and Publicity post. From the 1980s, he pursued his academic career which saw him gaining a Master’s degree in 1980 from the University of Warwick, UK and a Doctor of Philosophy in1986 from St Anthony’s College, University of Oxford. In 1989, he was elected to the Constituent Assembly and served as National Assembly member until 1991. In 1992 he was named the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Namibia, a post he held for eleven years. He was appointed as Professor in History by the UNAM Academic Council Staff Appointments Committee in 1994. He was given a diplomatic posting in 2003. Peter Katjavivi has also been very active as SWAPO’s documenter of the liberation struggle. His book, ‘A History of Resistance in Namibia’ (James Currey, 1988) is still widely referred to in academic works on recent Namibian history. Currently, he is the Director-General of the National Planning Commission. THE COLLECTION Summary The collection, covering the period 1965 to 1988 (but also holding some documents from as far back as 1915) consists mainly of SWAPO documents on activities in and outside Namibia during the time for the struggle for the liberation of Namibia (See summary of classes below).
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe: an Opposition Strategy
    ZIMBABWE: AN OPPOSITION STRATEGY Africa Report N°117 – 24 August 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. i I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 II. THE ECONOMY............................................................................................................ 2 A. DOMESTIC IMPACT................................................................................................................2 B. THE LOOTING OF A COUNTRY ...............................................................................................4 C. THE “LOOK EAST” CAMPAIGN..............................................................................................5 D. SECURITY CONCERNS ...........................................................................................................6 E. POLITICAL REPRESSION ........................................................................................................7 III. THE MDC AND CIVIL SOCIETY .............................................................................. 8 A. STATE OF THE SPLIT..............................................................................................................8 B. THE ROAD AHEAD ................................................................................................................9 C. THE POTENTIAL FOR MASS ACTION ....................................................................................10
    [Show full text]
  • Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation
    MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION BUDGET SPEECH VOTE 07 FOR THE 2021/2022 FINANCIAL YEAR BY HON. NETUMBO NANDI-NDAITWAH, MP DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER 20 APRIL 2021 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOTIVATION FOR THE 2021/22 FINANCIAL YEAR Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honourable Members 1. It is a privilege for me to motivate Vote 07, the budget of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) for the Financial Year 2021/2022. Firstly, allow me to applaud the Minister of Finance, Honourable Ipumbu Shiimi, Director General of the National Planning Commission, Honourable Obeth Kandjoze and their teams, for an excellent budget presentation bearing in mind the current economic challenges the country is facing. 2. During the tabling of the budget for the year 2020/2021, this August House was informed about the impact and effects of COVID-19 on the global economy, which would in turn have devastating effects on economies like ours. Namibia has indeed felt the effects, which have led to a significant budget reduction in the ceilings recently tabled. MIRCO is no exception, and like other Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies (O/M/As), finds itself in a situation that has compelled the Ministry to make serious adjustments to the way it carries out activities to ensure the continuation of programmes and maintain the visibility of Namibia abroad and in line with Vision 2030, as elaborated in NDP 5 and operationalized in the Harambee Prosperity Plan II. 3. As I motivate Vote 07, I wish to emphasise that Namibia’s Policy on International Relations and Cooperation cannot be effectively pursued independent of the cooperation with other O/M/As.
    [Show full text]