The Chronicle interview.

You will be President of the General Assembly at a time when the Organization is challenged by criticisms and expectations. How can the Assembly contribute to strengthening its Influence in international debates?

The fifty-eighth session of the General Assembly is going to be an extremely important one for the United Nations. The Organization did come under some scrutiny as a result of the Iraq war. There are some around the world who feel it may have lost its relevance, although events since then seem to suggest that the United Nations may very well be back on track. I do accept that for this session, the work we do, how we do it and the information made available to the public about what we are doing will be important. After all, it is the General Assembly that is the universal organ of the UN. It is essential, therefore, to dispel any perception that the Security Council is the General Assembly, the body to which the Council reports. In this respect, the discussion of the Council report is going to be especially relevant. In any event, my view, which I have already communicated to a number of groups and permanent representatives whom I have consulted, is that the presidency will be looking at returning development to the centre stage of our work. In addition, we will continue ongoing work as it relates to the revitalization of the Assembly and the reform of the Security Council so as to move it forward and "make the General Assembly and the UN as a whole more relevant to the average citizen".

What role can the Assembly play in strengthening the necessary political will to attain the Millennium Development Goals?

The MDGs represent a serious commitment, a pledge, on the part of Governments. So, at the Millennium Summit, Governments set the stage for what has to be done, establishing the year 2015 as a target date for specific action to have been taken in respect of these goals. This time will pass quickly and we need to move resolutely forward. I think that the General Assembly President is in a good position to focus attention on these issues, which accord with the programmes and priorities established for the fifty-eighth session. In my consultations with the permanent representatives, various groups and the incoming General Committee, I am emphasizing the importance of the MDGs, the priorities that we have established with those goals, and the necessity to take appropriate action. Of course, implementation does not only rest with the United Nations, For example, greater progress needs to be made in respect of the commitment made at Monterrey to increase official development assistance to the 0.7-per cent target. My view is that there are areas where Governments, which signed on to this process, need to step up to the plate. I am hoping that with all that has happened, particularly post-Iraq, undertakings made at the fifty-eighth session will be reflective of a renewed commitment to achieving the goals of the Millennium Summit

How can the UN help developing countries best represent their Interests of security and development?

The issue of small island developing States (SIDS), the question of sustainable development--these are matters before the United Nations. SIDS have sought to have a vulnerability index established, but this initiative has yet to see the light of day. Objections to using this benchmark have come from powerful sources. We have been quite clear about the multidimensional aspects of security: drugs, unemployment, the proliferation of crime, and the economy. There are also the problems relating to trade--very often the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations come across as suggesting that "one size fits all". I am a product of a small island developing State and I am especially conscious of the interests of SIDS within the broader interests of UN Member States. The Barbados Programme of Action, adopted in 1994 at the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, comes up for a ten-year review in Mauritius in 2004, and we hope for high-level participation. There is also the High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development, which is coming up in October. Both events will address issues that relate to poverty alleviation and SIDS, hopefully in a manner that recognizes the problems and priorities, so that they may be given the attention they require. But, I repeat, there can be no question that we should not look at security only from the point of view of military spending; for developing countries and SIDS, it is indeed multidimensional. We will continue to make these points in the interest of stressing that SIDS, in particular, should be recognized by the world community as having special needs that should be addressed as such.

The United Nations extends its work to the various regions through its relevant organs, specialized agencies and programmes. In addition, there are many arrangements for specific cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations, such as the collaboration between the UN system and CARICOM. It would be up to us to ensure that these regional networks of cooperation enhance the implementation of UN priorities, particularly in many of the areas I have outlined. Consultations between the appropriate agencies, organs, programmes and the General Assembly would be important to strengthening the overall work of the UN. I believe that the whole system should now be focused on the implementation of outcomes, particularly in the development field.

How do you see the Assembly tackling the increasingly urgent global problem of climate change?

It is important to recall that the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg last year, dealt extensively with the environmental impact of climate change and other environmental and development issues. There is a special section in the WSSD report dealing with SIDS--these are issues that remain up for discussion and continue to engage the General Assembly, particularly in its Second Committee, and on which we hope to see progress. The Commission on Sustainable Development is also seized with these issues. A significant problem is that we know what needs to be done. but it takes too long to ensure that it is, in fact, done. This is why we are looking at the question of implementation of the decisions taken at UN summits and conferences. How do we bridge the gap between our decisions and their implementation? This is an issue that my presidency will be looking into. How do we give effect to the decisions that we make? How quickly can these decisions benefit those for whom we make them? Take HIV/AIDS, for example: many promises and commitments have been made; yet, very few "step up to the plate" to keep their commitments in full. When the United Nations is unable to deliver because of lack of resources or essential support, people talk about its lack of efficiency. The UN is an intergovernmental body, and Member States ought to keep the pledges they make to ensure that the Organization is able to act.

What role can you play in encouraging Member States to "step up to the plate" in combatting HIV/AIDS?

The high-level plenary on HIV/AIDS will be convened in September, and as Assembly President I will chair that plenary. One important aspect of this is the round-table discussions that will take place. In the Plenary, we will hear pronouncements from heads of State and Government, ministers and other high-level representatives, while at another level, which will include civil society, interactive discussions will take place. The high-level plenary will be held the day before the start of the general debate. Therefore, we have high expectations that a number of heads of State and Government may also wish to participate in the plenary and may make further commitments as appropriate. The planning process for the high-level plenary on HIV/AIDS is being conducted by the President of the fifty-seventh General Assembly, but my presidency is being kept fully briefed on the programme as it progresses. From my own point of view, this meeting will be an important one for stocktaking, to determine what countries have actually done since the June 2001 General Assembly Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, particularly to meet the goals and targets set for this year. I hope that the meeting will especially show the world's peoples that the UN is concerned and can help address this serious problem.

Saint Lucia has been quite involved in many UN organs and committees. What priorities do you see for Saint Lucia in this Assembly?

I am pleased to say that Saint Lucia has developed a good name for itself at the United Nations and is well respected in this world body. My election to the presidency attests to this. All concerned have treated me with the greatest respect as I prepare for assuming the presidency. Saint Lucia has now been given the opportunity to show "global leadership" In this, we are honest brokers, with no hidden agenda. We can speak with ease to all Member States. We have been encouraged by the consultations we have had, indicating that we can count on the support of the general membership and, given the nature of some of the issues we have to deal with, that commitment will be essential to us. The presidency is going to be an important experience for Saint Lucia, and many, we hope, will seek to know us better as time progresses.

Regarding my priorities, I hope to highlight issues that affect SIDS: the question of the vulnerability of SIDS and the need for special and differential treatment. I make this point again to emphasize that special and differential treatment for SIDS is essential, given their many vulnerabilities. It might be expedient for SIDS to organize on their own discussions with the WTO on the matter of special and differential treatment. This is an initiative that may come out of New York. Sometimes, small island developing States--nations like ours--can get lost in the wider group of countries in our regions. We know that other countries also have an interest in special and differential treatment, but I believe these issues are especially critical to small island States. Saint Lucia has been actively involved in Haiti and specifically in the UN mission there--UNMIH. As Minister for External Affairs, I represented Prime Minister Kenney Anthony, the lead Minister with responsibility for justice and governance in CARICOM, as "point man" for matters relating to Haiti. I have led and participated in CARICOM/Organization of American States missions to Haiti, and I have reported to CARICOM heads of Government on developments in that country.

Saint Lucia continues to play an active role in matters affecting Haiti and will do so as appropriate at the General Assembly. In short, then, during my presidency we intend to highlight development issues, including those related to SIDS and financing for development, and to provide effective leadership to the global community at this most challenging period, concentrating on issues of UN reform and international peace and security.

The centenary of the birth of Ralph Bunche was recently launched at the United Nations. What are your thoughts?

Ralph Bunche has earned his place in the annals of history. The commemoration of his centenary, from August 2003 to August 2004, attests to his impact and influence in both his own country--the United States--and the wider international community. Indeed, Mr. Bunche has left an indelible mark in many critical fields of human endeavour, including international diplomacy, academia, the civil rights movement and much more.

Mr. Bunche's long-time association and career with the United Nations has been especially inspiring. His successful mediation in Palestine, a significant accomplishment for the United Nations and for himself, brought him world recognition and a Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 that was a milestone for people of colour worldwide. His contribution to the United Nations momentous decolonization work is also highly regarded by countries such as my own, which have been beneficiaries of that process. Ralph Bunche, from his humble beginnings to his rise to prominence as an architect and leader in the formulation and implementation of United Nations policy in Africa and Asia, demonstrated what is possible when we set high standards and strive to meet them. He can truly be counted among the men and women of distinction who made a difference.

You are very passionate about cricket. What does sport, in particular cricket, mean for the region?

Cricket means a lot to me. Not only have I served on the Cricket Boards of St. Lucia and the Windward Islands, but I also represented the West Indies at the International Cricket Council. In fact, it was partly due to my representation of the West Indies that we won the bid for the 2007 World Cup. Cricket is part of Caribbean culture, the West Indian culture; it is a way of life. When we are doing well, everyone is elated. When we are doing as badly as we are right now, everybody is in the dumps.

Cricket is also character-building. For me, it has been very exciting to visit the various islands of the region and see how the sport is being encouraged and developed. It is also interesting to see how it inculcates discipline into the youngsters, part of the character-building of which I spoke. I hope that the West Indies will again rise to the pinnacle of world cricket. It will be a challenge, yes. We just need to organize, I have this feeling that I am not through with cricket yet. I do believe that I will be back in the thick of things later down the road, at least by 2007 for the World Cup. It's in my blood; it's in our blood.

The terrorist attack on the UN office in Baghdad will no doubt cast a shadow over the regular session of the fifty-eighth General Assembly, which begins its work on 16 September 2003. The events of 19 August will likely affect the Assembly's agenda and its annual debate.

Several weeks before the bombing, on 22 July, the President-elect of the 58th General Assembly, Julian R. Hunte, OBE, Saint Lucia's Minister of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation, spoke with Sarah Cattan, Kristin Gilmore and Horst Rutsch of the UN Chronicle about his priorities for the Assembly. Mr. Hunte was Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the United Nations from 1998 to 2001, and as head of the Labour Party, he led his country's parliamentary opposition from 1987 to 1996. Trained in business administration, he served from 1970 to 1971 as the Mayor of the capital city, Castries.

Mr. Hunte has assembled a Cabinet comprising accomplished diplomats and professionals of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Chef de Cabinet is A. Missouri Sherman-Peter of the Bahamas; Deputy Chef de Cabinet is Sonia Leonce-Carryl of St. Lucia. Other members of the Cabinet and Special Advisers come from Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago. "My Cabinet", the President-elect says, "is working very well and will no doubt serve as an important example of regional cooperation."