As we commemorate the end of the Second World War we remember the victims who lost their lives, their freedom and their identities.
Emerging from devastation and destruction, world leaders chose hope over cynicism, empathy over indifference and partnership over distrust. The creation of the United Nations represented a collective commitment to the progress of humanity, to peace and prosperity for all.
“We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind…”
Three quarters of a century later, I call on all Member States to re-commit to the founding principles of multilateralism to prevent terror for generations to come. To this end, I urge all parties to conflict to adhere to the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire.
Peace is not just the absence of war but it is the pursuit of respect, tolerance, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, and freedom. It is incumbent upon each of us to fulfill our collective responsibility to guarantee the human rights, dignity and equality of every person.
We cannot stand by in the face of what we know to be wrong. We must, as nations, united stand up for what is right. let us continue to strive together to deliver for all, and never forget the suffering of World War II.
