CELINDA SOSA LUNDA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bolivia, pointed out that the global economy is currently based on hoarding wealth in the hands of “but a few” and, while financial markets generate “huge profits for the 1 per cent of the global elite”, millions struggle to access the most basic resources.  “This crisis isn’t only economic,” she stressed — but ethical and social as well — as it highlights the deep structural rifts in a capitalist system that “prioritizes profit over life, welfare and Mother Earth”.  She also pointed to the “billions of dollars” spent to produce weapons while millions lack education, health, food and water.  And, while the environmental crisis is one of the greatest threats humanity faces, she stressed that, “still, our actions are falling short”.  Global warming, deforestation, pollution and biodiversity loss not only wreak havoc on ecosystems, but also directly impact the lives of millions as extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and hurricanes become ever more intense.

Urging decisive, collective action in the face of these crises, she said that it is “high time” to change development models and bolster multilateral institutions.  This, she stressed, requires a “root and branch reform” of institutions, such as the Security Council, so that they are more democratic and representative and so that global decisions reflect diversity and developing countries’ “various needs and visions”.  Further, the international financial architecture must be restructured to create fairer mechanisms for redistributing sovereign debt, increase developing countries’ participation and promote financial flows that can support sustainable development and climate action.  This must be accompanied by a redesigned mechanism for international tax cooperation so that the most vulnerable economies can access the resources necessary to address today’s many crises.  Additionally, rejecting unilateral coercive measures that hinder development, she expressed solidarity with Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and “all countries that suffer unfairly” from these sanctions.

She went on to state that Palestinians have suffered, for decades, from a protracted conflict that has shaken regional stability. “Peace and security in Palestine will not be achieved without a genuine commitment to human rights and an end to the genocide,” she underscored, expressing support for Palestine’s self-determination, independence and full UN membership.  Also underlining the need for all States to abide by “all decisions and resolutions of the judicial organs of the international system”, she spotlighted the International Court of Justice case regarding sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean.  There, the Court urged Bolivia and Chile to resolve their issues through dialogue “so that Bolivia can have sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean, which we had during our decision of independence as recognized by that very Court”, she noted. “Bolivia stands ready to engage in dialogue when our counterparts decide to follow suit,” she added.

She also underlined the importance of recognizing the contribution that Indigenous Peoples have made to climate action, stressing that their knowledge can support a “new model of development so we can live well in harmony with Mother Earth”.  Expressing concern over the negative reputation accorded to the coca leaf, she said that the plant is part of Indigenous Peoples’ community and culture. Further, she called for the promotion of gender equality with a focus on “decolonization and ridding ourselves of the patriarchy”, which will revolutionize social relations that have been “perpetuated under the hallmark of gender inequality and the oppression of our sisters”.  Finally, she expressed regret that domestic and external interference seeking to destabilize Bolivia’s democratically elected Government is plunging the country into turmoil, but said that — with international support — “Bolivia will stand firm”.