BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Sept. 29.2018 - AS the United Nation 73rd General Assembly continues, Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris has called for the reforming of the United Nations to better deal with the issues of its members.
Addressing the debate today, Dr. Harris said there is an urgent need for the reform to meet the concerns of all members, including those of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
“The UN has become too preoccupied with summitry and less on delivery,” noted PM Harris.
The General Assembly has been a forum for world leaders to bring issues of their nation to the fore to be addressed at the highest level.
According to Harris, the cooperation among member states stymies the forward march of humanity.
To this end, he noted that a reformed UN will become a body of greater action and fewer words.
“We need urgent actions on Climate Change, non-communicable diseases, global cooperation, peace, prosperity and the reordering of the international financial systems.”
Guided by this year’s theme: 'Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies.', Prime Minister Harris pointed out the theme allows for the addressing the of unfairness and inequity of the international development order.
“We urge for a new inclusive, equitable and sustainable development paradigm. Mr. President, my country, though the smallest country in the Western hemisphere has always had its own goals long before the MDGs and the SDGs were enunciated,” added Harris.
Reminding that the federation over one week ago celebrated its 35th Independence anniversary, the Prime Minister told the assembly that the country has made significant progress towards alleviating poverty by providing primary and secondary education access as well as affordable health care and enhancing the standard of living.
The United Nations General Assembly runs from September 24 to October 01 at the UN headquarters in New York.
