Statement by Mr. Arjan Hamburger, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 31 January 2005

Thank you Mr. President. We appreciate your leadership in stewarding 191 countries to discuss a report that touches upon so many diverse, but all crucial issues. The Netherlands fully aligns itself with the comprehensive statement of the European Union Presidency, Luxembourg, and therefore I be brief. Having listened to many the contributions, we wish to emphasize a few general points that are of concern to us:

First and foremost, the Netherlands strongly believes that our multilateral system needs to be seriously reformed and strengthened to meet the challenges of both existing and emerging threats. We are not engaged in ‘just another round of reforms’, but as the Secretary-General pointed out: "the very relevance of current multilateral rules and institutions has come into question". The High Level Panel report that is before us today presents a compelling case to this effect, and we agree with the sense of urgency. It is not business as usual.

Central thesis in the report is the notion that a threat to one is a threat to all. Our collective security therefore hinges on our ability to address all threats in an efficient, equitable and above all effective way. The Panel consequently puts a strong emphasis on preventive measures, and on development as prerequisite for security. Working towards implementing the MDG’s should also be reviewed from that perspective. At the same time, the Panel has made strong recommendations to embolden and legitimize actions to combat proliferation of weapons and terrorism, when prevention fails.

The report rightly underlines that states constitute the main building blocks of our system. The sovereignty of states is undisputed. But…sovereignty does not just entail rights, it also brings duties upon a state. The responsibility to protect is own people, is one such duty. The Netherlands therefore strongly agrees with the line of reasoning presented by the Panel: the concept of Human Security is important and merits our collective attention when revising our multilateral system.

The Netherlands hopes that in the process that will lead to the September Summit, we will dare to be bold and keep our eyes on the long-term perspective of a strong United Nations in a just and peaceful world. Discussions should enjoy popular support, and therefore adequately include civil society. And, as the members of the Panel showed, we have to keep the global good and global interest in mind, and try to look beyond mere national interests.

It will not be difficult to lose ourselves in lengthy deliberations on the (possible) shortfalls of the Panel’s recommendations, or in elaborate calculations when it comes to Security Council membership. While we agree that the Report requires careful analysis, our joint objective should be to design an effective multilateral system, with a strong United Nations at its center.

Thank you Mr. President.