DINA BOLUARTE, President of Peru, extolled the beauties and virtues of her nation as seen in her historic election as the country’s first constitutional female President in 201 years.  Stating how her Government has brought back stability and hope to the country, she paid tribute to women, girls and adolescents around the world with the mantra “no more violence against women.”  She restated Peru’s respect for human rights, democracy and international law as well as its commitment to international cooperation with other countries, implement the United Nations Charter, and defend territorial integrity and political independence of all States.  Describing poverty as the greatest problem facing the world, she called on the international community to prioritize poverty eradication, stating her Government’s commitment to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals as “we cannot accept disastrous scenarios of poverty”.

Recalling the United Nations development agenda model of “leaving no one behind,” she lamented the millions of people displaced worldwide in the face of conflict, unemployment and extreme poverty, stating that the international system needs to cooperate for safe and regular migration.  With Peru being one of the country’s hardest hit by COVID‑19, having lost over 200,000 lives, “my Government is firmly committed to guaranteeing access and comprehensive health care, free and universal to all, without, exception” and to expanding national vaccine coverage.  She affirmed the prevention and treatment of cancer as a national goal, stating that 1.9 million children have been vaccinated against polio and measles, with 20 of the country’s 26 regions having oncological centres.  She observed with grave concern the internationalization of criminal networks across the globe, cautioning that the global system cannot let its guards down against crime and drug trafficking as “we must all be part of the solution.”  Same for climate change as manifested by the heavy rains and cyclones being experienced.

She particularly highlighted the emerging threats of coastal and meteorological phenomena, canvassing a prevention-focused approach, announcing her Government’s commitment of more than $1 billion to combat said cause.  She called on the global community to join in the fight, urging “us all make the pact for life.”  She also announced that, just like countries made progress to reduce carbon emissions, only last month, eight Amazonian countries agreed on conservation and deforestation efforts for the Amazon and that, with 61 per cent of Peruvian territory home to 5 million Peruvians, bold actions have become necessary.  She therefore urged countries to honour commitment on technology transfer and climate financing, as well as establish a loss and damage fund as agreed during the most recent Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Restating her country’s commitment to peace and development, she said Peru is firmly committed to accession to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) forum, participation in the Alliance of the Americas for Economic Prosperity and to a pursuing a partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for development.  “We await you with clear and transparent rules, with stability and legal security, with low inflation, with solid international reserves and with the sole objective of working for the sustained growth of all, but, especially, of the most vulnerable,” she said.  She further called on Member States to invest in Peru. Stressing that her Government is faithful to its commitment to the United Nations and to republican principles in defence of peace, democracy, and human rights, she urged Member States to ”work together with one heart, one thought and one desire.”