UN values and principles needed ‘now more than ever’, Guterres says in UN Day message
Secretary-General António Guterres has called for renewed hope and conviction in global solidarity in his message for United Nations Day, being celebrated on Monday.
Secretary-General António Guterres has called for renewed hope and conviction in global solidarity in his message for United Nations Day, being celebrated on Monday.
The UN was born from the ashes of the Second World War and the day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter, its founding document.
Last year, @UN country teams:
helped deliver 1.4 billion doses of #COVID19 vaccines
facilitated education for nearly 50 million out-of-school children
extended water access to almost 50 million people.
On #UNDay, let's renew our hope in what humanity can achieve together. https://t.co/D1OBZPJzSy
antonioguterres
Mr. Guterres described the UN as “the product of hope” because it embodies the hope and resolve to move beyond global conflict, to a new era of global cooperation.
‘Tested like never before’
“Today, our organization is being tested like never before. But the United Nations was made for moments like this,” he said.
“Now, more than ever, we need to bring to life the values and principles of the UN Charter in every corner of the world.”
The Secretary-General emphasized why the UN is so essential today, as it is “giving peace a chance and ending conflicts that jeopardize lives, futures and global progress.”
Making the difference
The UN is also working to end extreme poverty, reduce inequalities, and rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed by all 193 UN Member States in 2015.
Mr. Guterres pointed to the UN’s role in safeguarding the planet, including by breaking global addiction to fossil fuels and kickstarting the renewable energy revolution.
He also highlighted how the UN is “balancing the scales of opportunity and freedom” for women and girls, while also ensuring human rights for all.
“As we mark UN Day, let us renew our hope and conviction in what humanity can achieve when we work as one, in global solidarity,” his message concluded.
Restore trust among nations
Multiplying and interconnected global crises, including increasingly serious natural disasters, make it clear “that we have no time to lose” and must achieve sustainable development, said the President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi.
His message for UN Day focused on how the global body has two urgent parallel tasks: managing crises and promoting transformation.
“The UN can do this in its own house, but the most important thing is what the Member States themselves do at home on the basis of common knowledge,” said Mr. Kőrösi.
“The Organization works on practical solutions, based on the results of science and the principle of solidarity. However, in order to achieve a breakthrough, mutual trust must also be restored between the Member States,” he added.
Education cannot wait
The head of a UN educational fund is urging donors to step up support so that the 222 million children and adolescents worldwide caught in emergencies and protracted crises can continue to learn.
Education is “the very foundation” of the global vision for sustainable development, respect for human rights, and maintenance of peace and security, said Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait.
“Without education – especially for those suffering in wars, climate disasters and as forcibly displaced – how can we ever achieve the vision of the United Nations? It is logically and humanely impossible,” she said in her message for UN Day.
High price to pay
Ms. Sherif noted that 77 years after the proclamation of the UN Charter, the world is facing unprecedented insecurity, and new and ongoing armed conflicts, as well as record displacement.
Boys and girls surviving in these brutal contexts, who cannot access continued and quality education, are the ones paying the price.
“In the senseless war in Ukraine, we see first-hand deliberate attacks on schools and other civilian targets,” she said. “All attacks on schools and schoolchildren contravene the UN Charter, international humanitarian law and the Safe Schools Declaration.”
Ms. Sherif said that by delivering education to every child and adolescent in emergencies and protracted crises, “we can close the gap between the powerful vision of the United Nations and the cruel realities on the ground.”
© UN News (2022) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: UN News
Where next?
Browse related news topics:
Read the latest news stories:
- ‘Moral obligation’ of Haitian NGO worker to carry on despite kidnapping of two children Saturday, May 04, 2024
- ‘Our voices need to be included’: Trinidadian youth make case for strong role in climate negotiations Saturday, May 04, 2024
- Media Freedom Declining Across Europe, With Implications for Rule of Law Friday, May 03, 2024
- Pillay: Israel is helped by ‘powerful States’ in violation of Palestinians’ rights Friday, May 03, 2024
- World News in Brief: Attacks on civilians in DR Congo, concern over conviction of trade union leader in Cambodia, gang violence in Haiti Friday, May 03, 2024
- UN agencies warn of imminent starvation risk in Sudan’s Darfur region Friday, May 03, 2024
- East Africa: UN support continues amid heavy rains, severe floods and cyclone threat Friday, May 03, 2024
- Targeting Rafah could lead to slaughter, warns UN aid agency Friday, May 03, 2024
- Disinformation in the Super Election Year Friday, May 03, 2024
- Rainy Chiloé, in Southern Chile, Faces Drinking Water Crisis Thursday, May 02, 2024
Learn more about the related issues: