Ministry Statements and Speeches 2009

General Assembly Plenary Meeting, GA Hall, 10am, Wednesday 3 June 2009: Agenda Item 107 (follow-up to the outcome of the Millenium Summit)

New Zealand Statement (after adoption of draft resolution A/63/L.8/REV.1) by Kirsty Graham, Deputy Permanent Representative, NZ Mission, on 3 June 2009

Mr President

My delegation wishes to add our voice in support of resolution A/63/L.8/Rev.1 adopted by consensus this morning.

In 2008, New Zealand, along with other Pacific Island Forum members adopted the Niue Declaration on Climate Change.

At that time, our leaders expressed deep concerns about “the serious current impacts of and growing threat posed by climate change to the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and security of Pacific Island countries; and that current and anticipated changes in the Pacific climate, coupled with the region’s vulnerability, are expected to exacerbate existing challenges and lead to significant impacts on Pacific countries’ environments, their sustainable development and future survival”.

The resolution we adopted today is historic and is certainly a step in the right direction of addressing these concerns. In particular we look forward to the Secretary-General’s comprehensive report on the possible security implications of climate change

My delegation wishes to express our appreciation to Indonesia for their helpful role in breaking the deadlock, by producing a text that brought about a consensus.

Let me also thank the Like Minded Group and the Pacific SIDS for showing flexibility that has enabled us to reach a consensus. We thank too the many other delegations that have worked tirelessly and patiently to reach such a successful conclusion on this resolution.

Thank you.

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