Speech by the President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas at the G77 and China Summit in Havana, Cuba. teleSUR
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00:00 In the name of Allah, the God, the most merciful, the most merciful, Excellency President Miguel
00:16 Diaz-Canel, President of the Republic of Cuba and the Chair of 77 and China, Excellency
00:23 Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations. At the outset, I would
00:31 like to extend our condolences to our brothers in Morocco and Libya for what has inflected
00:42 them through floods and earthquakes. We wish the survivors speedy recovery. Ladies and
00:54 gentlemen, I would like to extend to Your Excellency my sincere thanks for inviting
01:02 us to participate in the summit of Group 77 and China, which is revolving about the group's
01:12 current development challenges and the role of science, technology and innovation, which
01:22 is an important strategic issue for the countries and peoples of this group, especially that
01:31 it will enhance the stockpile of knowledge and capabilities in the scientific and technical
01:38 development. We stress in this regard on the urgent need for more coordination and integration
01:44 in order to overcome the challenges and move forward, achieving the aspirations of our
01:51 people for a prosperous future. We meet in a time of continuous uncertainty in which
02:03 sustainable development in developing countries has suffered a serious blow. While much has
02:12 been achieved since the adoption of 2030 agenda, much more needs to be done today. From the
02:22 global pandemic to the unilateral course of measures, as it is evident in the embargo
02:30 imposed on Cuba, with whom we express our full solidarity. In addition to the rising
02:40 of inequalities to climate change, the magnitude of today's challenges is widely felt across
02:52 the global south in a worrying trend that has instantly placed developing countries
03:02 on the front line. Mr. President, the global agenda for our common future is based on the
03:17 principles of justice and equity, as well as leaving no one behind, including those
03:25 deprived of their right to self-determination and freedom, in particular the Palestinian
03:33 people. The Palestinian people who continue to live under the Israeli occupation and face,
03:41 as a result, growing challenges in the implementation of sustainable development goals in terms
03:51 of frequency and scope. Therefore, the development situation in Palestine differs from that in
04:02 the other countries of the world, as it is subject to Israel's institutional apartheid
04:08 regime, illegal occupation, and the colonial project that denies our right to development.
04:20 Israel, the occupying power, adopts systemic policies aimed at undermining the development
04:31 of our entire people. We have recently faced, along with other countries, the dire consequences
04:40 of the global economic crisis, the inflation and rising prices of basic commodities, including
04:50 food and oil products. It's known to all that the illegal policies of colonizing our land,
05:03 plundering our wealth and natural resources, collective punishment, environmental degradation,
05:12 and restrictions on the movement imposed by Israel, the occupying power, have led to the
05:19 destruction of our economy. Thus, our economy cannot be sustainable or viable as the occupation
05:30 continues. When more than 60% of the Palestinian land is outside the scope of Palestinian development,
05:40 and when the illegal Israeli settlements, the apartheid wall, and the settler-only roads,
05:53 when all that continues to expand amidst the escalation of the occupying army's violence
06:00 and the terrorism of the terrorist settlers, how can there be prosperity or sustainable
06:07 development? In 1911, the international community, including the United Nations and the World
06:20 Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and others, acknowledged Palestine's institutional
06:27 readiness for independence. Twelve years have elapsed since then, during which we faced
06:36 a serious economic crisis due to Israel's intransigence on the political path and illegal
06:46 practices on the ground. This crisis poses an important moral and political question,
06:56 important question, to the international community, which has invested politically and economically
07:02 in the two-state solution. Isn't it time to end this complex historical injustice that
07:11 has affected the Palestinian people? Mr. President, the Palestinian people, with the support of
07:19 the Group of 77 and China, which we had the honor of chairing in 2019, are determined
07:29 to overcome the historical injustice that has stifled their development and hindered
07:37 their aspirations for a century. As we speak, Israel's policies and practices seek to entrench
07:50 its settler colonial occupation and impose the reality of apartheid, which must not be
08:01 tolerated. This status quo must end, and we must act now to end Israel's occupation of
08:14 the territory of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital since 1967,
08:21 and resolve all permanent status issues, including the question of Palestinian refugees. In the
08:30 face of exceptional circumstances, the Palestinian people, all Palestinian prisoners must be
08:37 freed. In the face of the exceptional circumstances of the Palestinian people, we are confident
08:46 that our group will continue to support us and defend the ideals and principles of the
08:56 Group of 77 and China. At the same time, we assure our partners in the Group of 77 and
09:07 China that the Palestinian people will preserve and continue their legitimate struggle to
09:17 realize their rights while believing in the invitability of freedom and prosperity, because
09:26 of their sacrifices and commitment to peace, as well as the steadfast and principled support
09:32 of friends like you. We renew our profound thanks to President Kennell and the friendly
09:41 people of Cuba for their support of our people's rights in all international forums. We'd like
09:49 to extend also our thanks to all of you, brothers and sisters, leaders of countries and heads
09:56 of delegations. We wish this conference success and we look forward to being able to hold
10:07 it, God willing, in the State of Palestine, in the State of Palestine, the independent
10:12 Palestine, as an expression of your moral and ethical support for our rights and aspirations.
10:20 Peace be upon you.