Cameroon tribune 28/9/09

In a highly applauded speech at the United Nations, President Paul Biya made known Cameroon’s position on current world affairs. President Paul Biya delivered his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday September 25, during which he made known Cameroon’s position on several issues of national and international concern. The President said for the world to meet the present day challenges, mutual action from all nations was necessary. Prior to the highly applauded speech that came up by 4:52p.m New York time and lasted 18 minutes, Mr. Biya spent the entire morning following other debates at the UN General Assembly. While insisting on the importance of global solidarity, he said “the dialogue of civilizations or cultures advocates tolerance and mutual respect and rejects all forms of fanaticism which pose a threat to international peace and security.

” For this goal to be achieved, the President said it was imperative for the UN to serve as a level playing ground for all nations, big or small. Making the United Nations as “a forum for the exchange of ideas, solidarity, equity, and equality” was the best way to reinforce the strength of the world body and ensure its credibility, he said. Thus, the President noted that it was important for member countries to pursue reform of the United Nations Security Council to take into account the preoccupations of all nations, especially African countries.

Citing the recent world economic crunch, the President said the rapid mobilisation by the rich nations during the G-20 meeting in London last April to assist the global economy was a true example of what international solidarity could produce. He pointed out that the loan from the International Monetary Fund, given to Cameroon within that period, helped in strengthening the measures adopted at the national and sub-regional level against the economic crisis.

Keeping pace with his coherent diplomatic option of peace and stability across the world, Paul Biya recalled the role of the United Nations in ensuring that the world becomes a better place for humanity. He deplored the persistence of conflicts, especially in African nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Darfur situation in Sudan and the war in Somali. He underlined Cameroon’s readiness to work with the UN toward a lasting peace in the world, citing the contribution of troops to Darfur as an example of that cooperation.

Focusing on climate change, the President brought out the concerns of Cameroon and Africa as well. In the case of Cameroon, he noted the Lake Chad Basin area kept drying up due to the environmental degradation. Statistically, he pointed out that the water level in the Lake Chad had dropped from 26 000 km2 in the 1960s to 1 500 km2 today, saying it requires the collective action of Central African States, with strong support from the International Community to tackle the situation. Same as the management of the Congo Basin Forest which also needed the support of rich countries to protect. Despite the low greenhouse gas emissions by Africa, the continent still remained hard hit by Global warming, the President stated.

He also recalled tax incentives implemented by countries of the Central African sub-region to stimulate growth. Nearly 40 world leaders took the floor along side President Paul Biya. African on the list included Robert Mugabe, President Zimbabwe, Laurent Gbagbo, President of Côte d’Ivoire , Blaise Compaoré, President of Burkina Faso, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, President of Congo , King Mswati III, Head of State of Swaziland, Faustin Archange Touadera, Prime Minister of Central African Republic and Paul Toungui Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, la Francophonie and Regional Integration in Gabon. In all, the President took a global approach on a world stage to address international issues that have both direct and indirect bearing on Cameroon.

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