Sylvanie Burton, President of Dominica, wondered if the Member States are truly listening to those nations which take the General Assembly podium every year to decry poverty, inequality, climate change, underdevelopment and conflict.  Small island developing States feel the impact when global powers engage in political, economic or military confrontation.  During climate negotiations, powerful nations drag their feet, polluters enjoy protection, and adaptation and mitigation efforts go underfunded.  Equally horrifying is the loss of life caused by bombings, induced hunger, sanctioned violence and genocide.  “We do not have the power to stop storms and to bring the rains where there is drought,” she said, “but we do have the power to limit climate change [and] end wars and not start new ones.”

There is no place for war in the Caribbean, a zone of peace, she said, warning that a military conflict in the region would have significant negative impacts on the Caribbean and Latin America.  Dominica stands in solidarity with the people of Haiti and, like other member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), insists that the crisis in that country does not nullify the right of Haitians to sovereignty and a fair and durable peace.  The crisis in Haiti is more than a Caribbean crisis and it requires a united response and support from the United Nations to resolve, she said.

The embargo imposed on Cuba remains a great concern in the Caribbean, she said, echoing calls by the majority of Member States for the immediate lifting of trade restrictions and export bans on that country. “They are unjustified, they are unjustifiable, they belong to a bygone era [and] they should cease to exist.” She emphasized the right of the Government and people of Venezuela to resolve internal challenges without outside interference.  Sanctions imposed on Venezuela must end, she said, calling also for restraint and strict adherence to the rule of law in relation to the presence of United States military assets on the Caribbean Sea.

The United Nations must be reformed to ensure that small and developing States have a real seat at the table, from which they can influence decisions that shape climate policy, security and economic well-being, she continued.  Member States must commit to action, partnership and each other, “because the truth is simple yet profound:  we are always stronger, wiser and better together.”  She went on to say that she looks forward to the day when a woman leads the United Nations as Secretary-General, as that would be a true symbol of equality.