Attorney-General Justin Simon, speaking at the United Nations

Simon, who is representing Prime Minister Spencer, opened his address by extending farewell wishes to Secretary General Kofi Annan, who will be demitting office at the end of this year.

"I wish to convey the appreciation of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to Mr Kofi Annan for his many years of service to the United Nations and for his overall dedication to the pursuit of world peace and development," Simon told the Assembly. "On behalf of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, I pay tribute to his indomitable courage over the past ten years," he added.

Simon's address came during the general debate among world leaders and their representatives, in what is regarded at the traditional start of annual regular session of the General Assembly -- in this case, the 61st. The theme of this session is:  "Global Partnerships for Development".

Touching on the issues most important to Antigua and Barbuda, Simon said, "Antigua and Barbuda joins this community of nations in underscoring the importance of social and economic development, basic human rights and their importance to the maintenance of international peace and security, mutual respect, and lasting goodwill among nations." He also underscored the importance of the multilateral framework that the UN provides for the peaceful and diplomatic resolution of disputes as well as to affecting development in small and vulnerable countries.

Calling the UN's development agenda "ambitious, noble, worthy and necessary," Simon told the gathering of leaders that if the international community were to accomplish the goals they have set in the specified timeframes; it would be a testament to the greatness of humanity.

With respect to international trade, Simon told the Assembly that developed countries do not deliver on their commitments, but instead continue to support systemic imbalances in the international trading system. "Antigua and Barbuda, in spite of its limited resources and its highly vulnerable economy has embarked upon a strategy of economic diversification guided by the rules and regulations of the World Trade Organization. Yet, even as we play by the rules, the unfair trading practices of some of our international partners threaten to diminish the modest economic gains that we have made in recent times," he added.

On the politically charged issue of United Nations reform, including reform of the UN Security Council, AG Simon said, "My government and people support any process of reform of the United Nations that will enhance the level of representation in all its principal organs, increase its effectiveness, and improve its legitimacy. It should be more democratic in its representation, more reflective of modern-day geopolitical realities."

The Attorney-General also reminded the international community that Antigua and Barbuda is a highly vulnerable small-island state, and that a revitalization of development agencies should pay particular attention to the vulnerability of small states.

The AG also sited Antigua and Barbuda's compliance with a number of UN-mandated anti-terrorism treaties. "Terrorism breathes insecurity and places a severe financial burden even on countries and communities far removed from the actual terrorist act. We join others in encouraging the members of the United Nations to continue to deal comprehensively with the threat of terrorism by all means necessary, including the promotion of and respect for religious, cultural and ethnic tolerance," Simon said.

Simon's address to the United Nations capped off his three-day visit to New York, during which he represented Antigua and Barbuda at a meeting of the Caricom Council on Foreign Relations (COFCOR) and a meeting of the COFCOR with United States Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice.