– As delivered –

Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

12 May 2020

 

I am happy to participate in this event organized by the Kingdom of Morocco given its tradition in cultural and religious dialogue. I am also very happy that the Secretary-General and very eminent leaders of religious bodies around the world have joined us in this conversation.

Excellencies,

Faith-based organisations and religious leaders play an important role in times of crisis. They provide services for the poor and give hope to the hopeless.

Faith has a unique place in our lives, particularly relating to how to treat others as we would like to be treated. In times of great anxiety, faith can be a significant source of comfort and community resilience.

With the unprecedented threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on communities and nations across the globe, religious leaders and faith-based organisations will play even a greater role in saving lives and mitigating the spread of the disease.

During this time, we look up to them to share credible information and stand up against rumours, violence, and the incitement of hate and advocate for the needs of vulnerable populations.

Excellencies,

Poverty levels are estimated to rise by up to 500 million people – this will be the worst increase in the past decades. Women and children, people with disabilities, the elderly, the marginalized and the displaced are the ones who will suffer the most. Already millions of children are losing access to education. More than 275,000 people have lost their lives, and the figure is increasing everyday sparing barely any country. Our hearts are with those who mourn their loved ones. May their souls rest in peace.

We need to turn the crisis into opportunity and build back better. An immediate global response is crucial and we thank those who have shown leadership and given finances and other support during this crisis. The United Nations and its Member States must mitigate the devastating effect of this pandemic on the lives of people and their livelihoods.

This outbreak has resulted in the spread of stigmatizing and discriminatory actions towards specific groups and communities. We must remember that the threat and enemy is the virus, not the people or countries or their religions.

Tijjani Muhammad Bande

President of the UN General Assembly

Unfortunately, there is no timeline for the end of this pandemic. Nobody knows when we can return back to normalcy or what this normalcy will look like. This means that we have a lot of work ahead of us.

This outbreak has resulted in the spread of stigmatizing and discriminatory actions towards specific groups and communities. We must remember that the threat and enemy is the virus, not the people or countries or their religions.

It is faith-based organizations and religious leaders, equipped with courage and vision, who play a unique role in bringing people together around the universal values of our common humanity.

Oftentimes, they have helped as first responders and counsellors, combatting stigma, providing food assistance and praying for the world and the policymakers. They are frequently in positions to advocate for social and legal change. Most of them have promoted solidarity within and between communities of faith.

They use their moral authority to advocate for the empowerment of women, access to education and health facilities. They have been models for all of us.

As COVID-19 related restrictions resulted in closing churches, synagogues and mosques worldwide, many religious leaders have swiftly adapted and are taking faith online. They are actively engaging with youth in developing messages on social media making them effective partners in our common efforts – raising awareness about preventative measures among their congregations.

I commend all faith-based organizations and their leadership for their continuous efforts to promote interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence and issues related to sustainable development and climate action.

This is needed now and in the post-COVID world.

Excellencies,

As I continue the task of implementing my vision of the 74th session of the General Assembly regarding peace and security, poverty eradication, zero hunger, quality education, climate action and inclusion amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, I trust that the urgency of the situation forces us to work even harder and more harmoniously together to confront our latest challenge yet.

I am convinced that we can rise to the occasion.