Making the United Nations Relevant to all People
– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly
21 September 2018
Mr. Secretary-General,
Your Excellency, Ambassador of Japan, and Mrs. Bessho,
Your Royal Highness, Princess Haya,
Mr. Douglas,
Excellencies and, dear youth, dear friends,
Good morning. It is truly a pleasure to be here today to celebrate one of the bedrocks of our United Nations – global peace.
In 1981, the General Assembly adopted the International Day for Peace, to be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples. Since then, we have witnessed many conflicts and peace processes. While we have succeeded in many cases, the conflicts that persist embody the gap between reality and our visions of peace for our world.
The love for peace and peaceful solutions can be a policy choice. Leaders have a responsibility to promote peaceful conduct in international affairs.
Without inculcating the spirit of tolerance and peace in our young people and, without promoting inclusive and equitable societies, the vision of lasting peace that inspired the UN Charter continues to elude us.
That is why my theme of the 73rd session of the General Assembly and my priorities focus on inclusion, equality, justice, good stewardship of our planet and bringing the UN closer to the people. The priorities focus especially on empowering women and youth and offering them a place at the table in reconciliation, peace and security efforts.
I am convinced that, unless people and communities around the world understand and appreciate why their leaders make the commitments they do here at the United Nations, peace and security will continue to suffer.
The love for peace and peaceful solutions can be a policy choice. Leaders have a responsibility to promote peaceful conduct in international affairs.
Friends, today’s Peace Day theme is “The Right to Peace – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70.”
As one of the core pillars of the UN, few documents have been as referenced, as cited, or as critical to our negotiations as this declaration. This is a statement to its continued, varied, and global importance.
As we embark on a new session at the United Nations General Assembly, it is my hope that the spirit and principles behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are ever evident in our work, in our collaboration and in our principles.
Thank you.
