Armenian Foreign Minister: Sustainable development cannot be achieved  without peace

ArmInfo.Armenia reaffirms its commitment to a reinvigorated multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core, capable of delivering on the mutually  reinforcing pillars of peace, development and human rights, as stated  by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during his speech at the  G20 Ministerial Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of  the UN General Assembly.

The full text of Minister Mirzoyan's remarks is presented below.

" I thank the G20 Presidency of South Africa for convening this  timely discussion. For eight decades, the UN has embodied our shared  aspiration to prevent the scourge of war, to advance sustainable  development and well-being for all and safeguard human rights and  fundamental freedoms.

Yet, today, conflicts and geopolitical tensions, compounded by  economic instability, persistent human rights violations as well as  environmental degradation and widening inequalities endanger  cooperation and hard-won progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.  Developing countries, particularly those in special situations,  middle-income countries and countries in conflict and post-conflict  situations face disproportionate burden responding to global crises  and realizing their development aspirations. These challenges are  further aggravated by growing debt distress and restricted access to  long-term concessional resources.

It is therefore imperative to accelerate the reform of the  international financial architecture - one that is more inclusive,  representative and responsive to the needs of developing countries.  In this regard, the Seville Compromise provides a solid framework for  action and we call on all member states to ensure its effective  implementation.

Sustainable development cannot be achieved without peace. In my  speech last year in this same room I stressed Armenia's unwavering  commitment to promoting peace in our region. Today, following the  successful trilateral meeting and historic milestone reached in  Washington DC on August 8 through the initialing of the Peace Treaty  between Armenia and Azerbaijan, I constitute that peace is now  established.

Last year I equally stated that as part of our peace agenda, Armenia  had presented the initiative of the "Crossroads of Peace" that aims  at development of connectivity between Armenia, its neighboring  countries and goes far beyond. This year, following the signing of  the Joint Declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan, witnessed by  the US, we agreed upon the fundamental principles of the sovereignty,  territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and jurisdiction of  the States, and now are working on technical solutions to be operated  under those principles. We are confident that full opening of  transport communications, unlocking the transit and trade potential  of the region will be a game changer.  Implementation of the  "Crossroads of Peace" initiative together with its integral TRIPP  connectivity project will generate new opportunities for economic  growth, dialogue and people-to-people contacts, thus contributing to  wider stability and prosperity. We thank the partner countries who  have already welcomed the initiative and count on the support of all  international partners, including the G20, in advancing this vision.

In conclusion, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to a reinvigorated  multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core, capable of  delivering on the mutually reinforcing pillars of peace, development  and human rights."