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PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""! GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADDRESS Delivered by:
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Honourable Chairs, Your Excellency Secretary General, Fellow Delegates; Twenty years ago, we in South Africa set out to undo the wrongs brought about by half a century of oppression, exploitation and fratricide. To guide us in our path we committed ourselves to the principles of universal human rights, the rule of law and values of solidarity and mutual respect. It is by remaining committed to these guiding principles that we shall proceed in tackling issues addressed at this years General Assembly Session. In the spirit of upholding the rule of law, we see a comprehensive ban on fur trade running contrary to established international norms that guide states in their economic exchange. By introducing such arbitrary measures we would necessarily run the risk of undermining the very foundations, todays international society is based upon. In the same manner we support all efforts to reinforce mechanisms currently in place to protect the rights of minorities, while urging all states to also acknowledge and address the underlying factors, such as poverty, social inequality and exploitation, which provide fertile ground for fanning cultural and religious based violence.

In order to do away with the pestilence of violence in all its forms, substantial steps forward should above all be taken with regard to challenges of development and environmental sustainability. In the past two decades South Africa witnessed unprecedented economic growth, with many African states following in our wake. However, it is perhaps on the great continent of Africa, more than anywhere else in the World, that the experience of our daily live has taught us the following: Development is not a challenge of yesterday, and neither should environmental sustainability remain a goal for the day after tomorrow. We therefore invite all states to join us in establishing a common framework capable of addressing environmental and developmental concerns as one deeply intertwined challenge. Such a framework should enable easier exchange and dissemination of information, knowledge, good practices, and green technology, while also providing a common platform for all states, institutions, groups and individuals involved in environmental and developmental efforts to function in a more coordinated fashion and above all knowledgeable of each others undertakings. Fellow delegates, time and time again have we heard, that now is the moment to act. We in the Republic of South Africa believe that now is also the time to stop and look around. To assess and reassess - regroup, rethink, reorganize. If need be, re-devise and then re-launch. Only by grounding our efforts in a holistic and comprehensive understanding of todays society and challenges facing it, will we be able to effectively employ our determination and perseverance to create a fair and equitable world with equal opportunity for all nations, and all individuals.
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