[반기문 방한]제주포럼 기조연설 전문

[아시아경제 노태영 기자]방한 중인 반기문 유엔 사무총장은 26일 "(북한과의) 대화를 향한 길을 다시 찾아야 할 것"이라고 밝혔다.

반 총장은 이날 제주컨벤션센터에서 열린 제주포럼 개막식 기조연설에서 "저는 북한에 더 이상 도발을 중단하고 국제적 의무를 준수하는 방향으로 돌아올 것을 촉구하고 싶다"면서 이 같이 말했다.

특히 반 총장은 "한반도에서 갈등이 고조되면 동북아, 그 너머 지역까지 어둠의 그림자가 깔릴 수 있다"며 "저는 유엔 사무총장으로서, 개인적으로도 어떤 방식으로든 도움이 될 수 있는 방향으로 기여하고 싶다"고 강조했다.

다음은 이날 발언 전문.

Your Excellency Mr. Hwang Kyo-ahn, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea,
Honourable WON Heeryong, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province,
and Chairman of Organizing Committee of the Jeju Forum,
Distinguished Former Prime Ministers,
Ambassador MOON Tae Young, President of Jeju Peace Institute
(Chairman of Executive Committee of the Jeju Forum)
Excellencies,
Members of Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for your very warm welcome.

I am happy to be back in Jeju for this important Forum.

I am pleased to see so many high-level government officials, business executives, activists, academics and especially young people.

When the Jeju Peace Institute was founded, I was serving as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.

My focus was constructive engagement across Asia and beyond.

When I left to assume my duties as Secretary-General, I promised to bring Korea to the world and the world to Korea.

Every day, I proudly draw on my Korean and more broadly Asian heritage. I appreciate the warm support of Asia. And I look to Asia for global leadership.

This powerful continent is critical for prosperity and security around the world.

Today I will examine four key themes: global action, regional cooperation, stability on the Korean Peninsula and human rights for all.

Tackling these interconnected issues will benefit all Asians and our world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

First: global action for peace, people and planet.

I have just come from the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.

The Summit made solid commitments to improve the global response to emergencies. The world’s leaders forged a Grand Bargain to better protect people, close the funding gap and open new paths for humanitarian action.

Many factors drive today’s crises, from governance failures to human rights violations.

Climate change remains a major concern.

Asia is critical to climate action.

Asia accounts for nearly a third of all global greenhouse gas emissions.

It is also a source of solutions.

China has the world’s largest wind and solar capacity.

Solar power is growing in India and Bangladesh.

Companies across Asia are launching innovative green technologies.

I call on all Asian countries to quickly ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Asia’s robust economic growth helped the world cut poverty by half ? and achieve the first Millennium Development Goal.

But two out of every three of the world’s poorest people live in Asia ? a total of 450 million individuals. The continent faces major threats related to freshwater, land and pollution.

That is why Asia must embrace the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Global progress depends on solidarity.

The United Nations appreciates Asia’s global contributions.

Four of our five top contributors to UN peacekeeping are in Asia.

The Asia-Pacific region continues to be a centre of economic dynamism and influence.

It is also home to political progress and greater democratization.

There are many hopeful signs.

Sri Lanka is overcoming political conflict.

Myanmar is undergoing a peaceful democratic transition.

Last November’s elections opened the potential for an inclusive, harmonious multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy there.

The new leadership must now overcome discrimination, ensure equality and promote inclusive development with full respect for human rights.

The United Nations will continue to support democratic reforms across Asia.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Global action depends on regional cooperation ? my second theme today.

I applaud the work of ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, and the East Asia Summit.

I welcome the Republic of Korea’s Eurasia Initiative and the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation initiative.

And I commend renewed plans by the Republic of Korea, Japan and China to hold more regular high-level meetings.

The Seventh Trilateral Summit should be held as soon as possible this year ? as the leaders agreed. The United Nations is encouraging all concerned parties to work closely for mutual trust and future-oriented cooperation.

The United Nations is your partner in expanding peace and prosperity across Asia.

Progress will depend on confronting challenges.

A number of Asian countries claim the same territory and maritime areas.

I have consistently called on all parties to resolve their disputes peacefully. They must engage in dialogue in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the UN Charter.

I have also consistently expressed hope for the expeditious conclusion of an agreement between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct under the framework of the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea”.

Transnational organized crime, piracy terrorism and other security threats are spreading in Asia. Asian countries must do more to respond as a region.

Asia is diverse. But Asia must expand commonalities.

It would be tragic for this continent to let the past hold it back.

Asia must resolve longstanding differences.

It is time to agree on borders that are now disputed.

And Asian countries must rise above conflicting interpretations of history.

By squarely and humbly addressing the unfortunate past historical issues, they can focus on the future.

I have seen this work on other continents. Latin America, Africa and Europe have successful agreements and organizations. They helped ease tensions and prevent conflicts.

There are many fast-growing nations on this dynamic continent. Some of their ambitions may clash.

I call on all Asian countries to deepen dialogue and engagement. Expand cooperation. Nurture partnerships. Solidify collaboration.

There are no winners in violent conflict ? only lost generations, greater poverty and deep bitterness.

We should take pride in our countries. But we need patriotism, not nationalism.

I am Korean through and through. And I am also an active global citizen. Whenever I meet young people I call on them to look beyond their country’s borders and care about our world.

That spirit drives progress.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

One of the great challenges to global action and regional cooperation is the deeply troubling situation here on the Korean Peninsula.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has recently taken worrying actions.

The international community responded with resolve.

After the DPRK’s nuclear test and missile tests earlier this year, the Security Council unanimously tightened sanctions with Resolution 2270.

I hope its implementation will advance denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

The world must hold a firm line.

The DPRK’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles only undermines its own security and hurts its citizens.

Military spending remains high while children are wasting.

Human rights are systematically abused.

The authorities of the DPRK must correct these wrongs.

We must find the path back to dialogue.

I encourage the DPRK to cease any further provocations and return to full compliance with international obligations.

The rise in tensions on the Korean Peninsula could cast a shadow across Northeast Asia and beyond.

I welcome all efforts to move forward. And I stand ready to personally contribute in any way that might be helpful.

Good relations between the two Koreas are essential for lasting peace ? not only on the Korean Peninsula but throughout the region.

Ladies and gentlemen,

There has been progress in Asia on human rights, my fourth focus. But countries and the region as a whole must do more.

The countries of this region are important trading partners. Now they should expand regional cooperation to include human rights.

There has been progress. I welcome the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on human rights and the development of an ASEAN human rights declaration.

Many countries across Asia have engaged with the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review.

These advances show Asia’s potential to confront and end abuses.

Success demands freedom for civil society organizations.

I am deeply concerned about shrinking democratic space in a number of Asian countries.

I also worry about rising intolerance, hate speech and violence in parts of Asia.

Countries must end violations against religious minorities, migrants, refugees, women and girls as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

Many Asian countries show great compassion.

When it comes to refugees, Pakistan has been among the world’s top host countries for decades.

Let us remember that there are Asians in Diaspora communities around the world.

They have worked hard, often in tough jobs. They have overcome racial prejudice. They have risen to high ranks in their new societies. They are leaders in business, entertainment, politics and more.

These eminent Asians abroad prove the value of embracing others.

Migrants and refugees here can enhance Asia.

I call on Asian countries to give new arrivals the chance to make a difference.

Mr. Prime Minister,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I treasure Asian culture so much, I study as an amateur calligrapher.

One saying I frequently practice writing is 上善若水 which means, “The highest virtue is to act like water.”

Water represents wisdom, flexibility and soft power.

Asia has the potential to manifest these invaluable qualities.

Let us join forces to enable this continent to create a better future.

Thank you.

노태영 기자 factpoet@asiae.co.kr