Statement by James Alix Michel,

Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles

at the 13th Non-Aligned Movement Summit Kuala Lumpur 24th February 2003

Mr Chairman,

My delegation is pleased to see you steering the deliberations of the Non-Aligned Movement. We thank South Africa for its dedicated work and the leadership it has ably provided to our Movement since the Durban Summit four years ago.

This Summit comes at a critical time. It provides us with a unique opportunity to articulate our own vision and aspirations, and to bring fresh approaches to deal with the challenges of the 21st century.

Mr Chairman,

We are all deeply concerned by the heightened international tension arising from the issue of the disarmament of Iraq. A military confrontation in the Gulf would have far-reaching repercussions not only in the region itself but for many other countries. We therefore appeal for diplomacy to continue its course. Disarming Iraq through an effective and strengthened United Nations framework should be the alternative to the avenue of armed conflict. We strongly encourage the Government of Iraq to fully comply with the provisions of Security Council Resolution 1441. Our Movement should exert all its weight and influence in arriving at a political settlement of the crisis.

Mr Chairman,

Another crisis of grave concern to our Movement is the conflict in the Middle East. My delegation therefore urges all parties to embark on genuine and substantive dialogue and negotiations in the interest of durable peace in the region. We reaffirm our belief in the rights of the Palestinian people to their own independent state, with clearly defined borders and living side by side with Israel. We welcome all efforts in facilitating the search for an enduring solution to the conflict.

Mr Chairman,

We face many challenges and constraints in fostering genuine social and economic development. And there is much we can achieve through reinforcing South-South cooperation. We, developing countries, have immense wealth in terms of natural resources, human capital, and scientific and technological know-how. We must build on our complementarities, strengths and comparative advantages. The expansion of trade, investments, joint ventures, transfer of technology, training and research are some of the few areas that, if enhanced, would certainly contribute to bringing greater prosperity to our peoples.

It is in this spirit that my delegation calls on the wider NAM membership to support the recently adopted New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). This initiative, representing the collective determination and commitment of African governments and peoples to chart their future development through sustained economic growth, could be a leading example of South-South cooperation.

Mr Chairman,

In the context of globalisation, international solidarity and cooperation my delegation is pleased to note the outcomes of the recent major international conferences, especially the Doha Development Round, the Monterrey Consensus, and the Johannesburg Plan of Action. They represent vital building blocks towards attaining sustainable development. What is vital now is the implementation. The Non-Aligned Movement should pursue this partnership to ensure that all stakeholders stay engaged, by making sure that words are indeed matched by deeds.

Of critical importance to us is the need for the extension of trade preferences for a longer period of time in order to facilitate our integration into the international trading system smoothly and gradually, under fair conditions. This would ensure that we too can be beneficiaries of globalization. The Non-Aligned Movement should firmly and decisively be our advocate in defending the interests of small and weaker economies in the face of international inequity.

Mr Chairman,

Our Movement has always been responsive to the problems and aspirations of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The momentum for the recognition by the international community of the special circumstances and needs of SIDS should be maintained and consolidated. In this context, we call on the United Nations Secretariat to finalize, not later than 2004, the work on the elaboration of the Vulnerability Index of SIDS. We look forward to working with the greater engagement of all partners, particularly those from the North, in fulfilling the commitments undertaken since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

Mr Chairman,

The future success of our Movement depends on our renewed commitment in transforming decisions and initiatives into meaningful and concrete actions. Our unity, dedication and resolve should make our Movement a credible, powerful voice in the post-Cold War world order. Today as we face new challenges, our Movement must remain, more than ever before relevant. Seychelles, albeit in a modest manner, will continue to render its full cooperation to the Chair in carrying out the objectives and aspirations of the Movement.

Thank you.

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