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Add to Preferred SourcesWe are living in “a world of disquiet”, the United Nations chief told the High-level session of the General Assembly, urging the Heads of States present to advance “common good” while upholding “shared humanity and values”.
Presenting his annual report on the work of the UN, Secretary-General António Guterres told the overflowing Assembly Hall that “a great many people fear getting trampled, thwarted, left out and left behind”.
“Machines take their jobs. Traffickers take their dignity. Demagogues take their rights. Warlords take their lives. Fossil fuels take their future. And because people still believe in the UN, we, the leaders, must deliver”, he underscored.
Apart from promising developments, such as peaceful elections in Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the Greece-North Macedonia name dispute resolution; political dialogue in Sudan; and an agreement in Syria, he spoke of persisting conflicts, terrorism and “the risk of a new arms race growing” across the world.
He lamented over unresolved situations in Yemen, Libya and Afghanistan; a threatened two-State solution between Israel and Palestine; Venezuelan displacements; and “the alarming possibility of armed conflict in the Gulf”.
Keeping the peace
The UN chief spoke about the importance of investing in peace through crisis prevention, mediation and diplomacy, saying that some 100,000 UN peacekeepers were currently protecting civilians and promoting peace. And humanitarian workers ease suffering around the world.
“Fully half of all international relief aid is channeled through the United Nations – ensuring that millions receive protection, food, medicine, shelter, water and other life-saving assistance”, said Mr. Guterres, noting sadly that this “year alone…we have lost at least 80 peacekeepers, humanitarians and others, all of whom gave their lives trying to better the lives of others”.
Sustainable development
According to the UN chief, every measure to uphold security and human rights “helps deliver sustainable development and peace”.
“In the 21st century, we must see human rights with a vision that speaks to each and every human being and encompasses all rights”, he underscored, lauding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a tool for social protection, a sustainable environment, education, and decent jobs.
However, Mr. Guterres bemoaned, “we are not on track” and “inequality is exploding”.
He encouraged the world leaders at to take advantage of the Sustainable Development Goals Summit to “ramp up ambition”.
Original source: UN News
Published on 24 September 2019