DPRK calls for efforts to create peaceful environment, adjust world financial system

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday called on the international community to create "peaceful environment by rejecting the use of force" and "adjust the inappropriate international economic architecture."

DPRK urged the international community to make efforts to pave the way for the developing countries to register the timely realization of the UN anti-poverty goals.

The statement came as Park Kil Yon, DPRK's vice minister of foreign affairs, was taking the floor at the UN high-level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the eight goals which are due to be reached by 2015. The high-level meeting entered its second day here on Tuesday.

"It is essential for the international society to make every effort for creating peaceful environment by rejecting the use of force and removing the threats of use of force," he said.

"It is also imperative to adjust the inappropriate international economic architecture and to create sustainable environment for the MDGs to be achieved on time," he said.

"The financial and economic crises across the world in recent years manifest the very ineffectiveness of the current inequitable international economic architecture and serious impact the already vulnerable economies of developing countries," Park said.

"Under such prevailing situation, the creation of the equitable international economic relations requires an urgent solution without any further delay," he said.

"The international development strategies and policies including the MDGs should be oriented towards assisting developing countries in their efforts to strengthen the self-reliance of their national economies and promote social justice and equality," he said.

Meanwhile, the DPRK vice minister also touched upon enhancing the role of the United Nations, saying that this "is of another importance in the effort to achieve the MDGs."

"The UN should address the inappropriate elements of the international economic structure that produce negative impacts on development efforts of developing countries and take measures to ensure international environment favorable to the achievement of the MDGs, through urging the strict adherence by developed countries to the ODA (official development assistance) commitments, removal of inequitable trade barriers and establishment of a new international financial system," he said.

The world's rich countries agreed to give 0.7 percent of their gross national income as official international development aid, annually. However, only five European countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark, have carried out their pledges.

"In particular, it should be ensured that the UN organizations including the United Nations Development Program do not deviate from their original nature and mandate nor be the development assistance misused as a means of political purposes," he added.

Source: Xinhua