Return to Mr. Kocharian's Speech

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Madam President, Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I wish to express my appreciation, on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to the distinguished Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the emerging global challenges in the new century. The convening of the Millennium Summit is, in my view, a precious opportunity to assess global governance, articulate an innovative role for the United Nations in the midst of fundamental changes at the international scene and chart a new agenda of participation and collective commitment.

Humanity, anguished by its Journey through the twentieth century, marred by blood, calamities and discriminations, is eagerly awaiting a better future in the new century; a future built around the dignity and rights of human beings, with Justice illuminating the gloomy skies of its past and present life.

Much has been said about the pains and sufferings of mankind. So often has this beloved victim of all ages paid the price for the power, wealth and deceptions of a few, who, in our contemporary era, have wronged the entire humanity under the guise of its own defense. In one comer of the world, human beings may have attained acceptable material living conditions, albeit, the rupture between form and content and the ensuing spiritual anguish have tormented their lives. In another comer, far more populous, they are struggling with a multitude of afflictions ranging from poverty, ignorance and exclusion, to undemocratic rulers who are often subservient to major powers.

Through human experience during the last century, democracy has evolved as a value inspiring new modalities of rule. In the age of awakening of peoples and nations, powers are expected to come to terms with this value, and allow human beings to realize the impetus for liberty, freedom, spirituality and dignity.

The right of man to determine his destiny, the emanation of authority, particularly political authority, from the free will and choice of the populace, its submission to the continued scrutiny of the people and the institutionalization of such human accountability constitute the major characteristics of democracy, which need to be clearly distinguished from its various manifestations. No particular form of democracy can be prescribed as the only and final version. Hence, the unfolding endeavors to formulate democracy in the context of spirituality and morality may usher in yet another model of democratic life.

Democratic principles have gradually become the criteria of good-governance domestically. They deserve to become the new norm governing global interactions.

Therefore, the exigencies of a few power holders should not supersede the interest of humanity through familiar practices of endorsement of undemocratic governments, not responsive to the will and needs of their people, and application of double and multiple standards of response to incidents around the globe.

Moreover, the structure of power in our contemporary world must be reformed. In a global society  whose constituents, much like equal individuals within nation-states, are nations of equal right and dignity  diverse cultures and civilizations can and should work collectively to build a moral and humane world with liberty and progress for all.

The fundamental question is whether the United Nations is capable of revisiting and reconstructing its foundations on the basis of such a vision.

 Madam President,

Mr. President,

Distinguished Participants,
The world at large needs more openness and expansion of liberty and inclusive justice. Our world in the past decades has been deprived of the commanding presence of "an international civil society". This has precluded the commencing of a creative dialogue with global participation in the process Of understanding and resolution of fundamental issues. In our global environment, "preservation and expansion of power" constitutes the dominant discourse and paradigm of political interaction. This has resulted in political thought and practice neglecting profound philosophical, cultural and religious issues. The paradigm of "unaccountable power" is undoubtedly incapable of properly addressing any of the contemporary challenges of mankind.
For moral rationality in the realm of politics, it is imperative to refine the logic and language of diplomacy and launch a dialogue beyond the predefined confines of power relationships.

"Freedom from want", "freedom from fear" and "sustaining our future", as highlighted in the report of the Secretary-General, can only be attained by defining emerging global relations through open and balanced dialogue.

I proposed to the 53 rd General Assembly to designate, as the initial step, the year 2001 as the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations. Dialogue among Civilizations intends to facilitate a new paradigm of "Inclusion and reform of global relations" and preclude the ascendance of unidirectional relations and political and cultural monologues. Now is the time for a further step.

Dialogue among cultures and civilizations should be transformed from a doctrine into a program of action, addressing recent international developments. "Globalization," as the most pressing of such developments, has opened new honizons for human societies, albeit affected by the monopolies of power and capital.

Globalization should not be utilized to open greater markets for a few or to assimilate national cultures into a uniform global one. Instead, what is required is the collective articulation of common interests, norms and laws towards ensuring the equitable access to advancement at the global level.

The world community ultimately requires the emergence of a responsive moral society, precluding resort to force and coercion both in national and international disputes. Values and norms without codification into law, and laws without enforcement mechanisms will fail to have tangible impact. The process of globalization is thus intertwined with articulation of new collective rights and ethics, and the ensuing impact on national and international norms and institutions.

Hence, we should strive to augment national capacities and authority of democratic governments in order to enhance accountability at the international level. This requires empowerment and capacity building for active and effective participation of all members of the global community, including governments and civil society institutions, in the international decision-making process.

Has the time not come to envisage new responsibilities for the United Nations in the common endeavor to initiate a participatory global order based on dialogue, tolerance and synergy?

In my statement before the 53rd General Assembly, I put forward the proposal of the esteemed leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran for recognition of the equal rights of all nations through removing discrimination from United Nations machinery and particularly from the Security Council. This proposal awaits positive consideration. Today, in the name of a great nation with a long history and ancient civilization, who, through its magnificent spiritual revolution, has opened a new era of governance by the people in the context of religion, I declare before this house that nations can no longer be marginalized on political, cultural and economic pretexts. The world belongs to all its inhabitants. No double standards, national or international, can ever be accepted in contemporary world. Our task today is to transform the logic of international relations, distancing it from the logic of power. On the eve of the Third Millennium, the time has come to call upon the world not to yield to the quest for power, but to opt for dialogue and ultimately for compassion, love and spirituality.

Today, more than ever before, the United Nations needs to exhibit its authority and effectiveness by ensuring the utilization of globalization as a positive force for all humanity, by safeguarding sovereignty of nations in the face of adverse implications of the process, and by promoting mutual recognition and respect among cultures, civilizations and spiritual traditions.

The future of the world belongs to democracy in all levels of governance, advancement of ethical, legal and political values on the basis of dialogue, free exchange of ideas and free inter-cultural challenge. Let us advance the United Nations to an era of equitable participation of all nations and civilizations in tomorrow's global governance.

Speech of HE Mr. Ahmet Necdet Sezer President of the Republic of Turkey at the UN Millennium Summit
Speech of HE Mr. Eduard Shevardnadze President of Georgia at the UN Millennium Summit
Speech of HE Mr. Heydar Aliev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the UN Millennium Summit