REMARKS OF
H.E. MR. NASSIR ABDULAZIZ AL-NASSER
HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS
AT THE
GALA NIGHT ON THE OCCASION OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
26 OCTOBER 2015
ACADEMIC BOLSHOI THEATRE, RUSSIA
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honor for me to be here with you on this remarkable day and address this Gala on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.
Few words could describe my admiration for the splendor of this distinguished place.
What first comes to my mind, is the ability of the Bolshoi Theatre to have defied time and changes since its foundation almost 300 years ago. Despite adversity, the theatre remains the world center of classical ballet and opera.
This notion of resilience is what guides the United Nations since its foundation in 1945. Two days ago, on October 24, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding document the UN Charter. I believe this document remains one of the most transformative tools. It unites humanity with the ideals of peace, freedom and hope.
I trust that we are uniting this evening, guided by the very essence of these notions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have all witnessed the history in the making since 1945. The world of today has changed. We have seen a world converging towards progress. It has simply become an interconnected and interdependent global village. And I believe the UN platform played a vital role in this common success.
Since its inception, the multilateral platform of the UN allowed us to :
- Reduce extreme poverty;
- To provide fundamental education to millions of children;
- And to reduce the gender gap between men and women.
While our commitment and achievements to progress are unquestionable, we are still facing many crises. History has confirmed that no one person or no one country is immune.
Allow me to go back to the year 2011-2012 during my Presidency of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly, I recognized four major pressing issues:
- Marginalization and Inequalities,
- Violent Extremism and Terrorism
- Migration and refugee crises.
- And the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN system.
Marginalization and inequalities are not new in the history of humanity. However, inequalities reinforce instabilities when the socio-economic and technological benefits are not inclusive of all. Exclusion represents one of the top causes of violent extremism and terrorism. We have witnessed the consequences of such barbaric violence. Over 60 millions of men, women and children are displaced and risk their lives to find refuge in conflict-free zones.
As individuals, families and communities, we are looking for answers to these problems. In that matter, I would like to echo the United Nations Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, who said, “to do better, we must do differently.”
As High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, I realize the need to promote more inclusive and peaceful societies. We must educate our societies to the notions of peace and collaboration.
This is what the Alliance seeks to do. The UNAOC was initiated in 2005, at a time of polarization between cultures, and when terrorist attacks took the world by a storm in 2001. The celebration of our 10th anniversary this year is a reminder of the work ahead of us as one community. It is also a reminder of the need for the international community to have a United Nations platform that can help address the need for:
- Better education
- Responsible media
- Empowered Youth
- And better understanding of Migration flows.
In closing, I would like to stress the validity and necessity of the United Nations to exist. We cannot face our contemporary challenges alone. However, I recognize that the legitimacy of its overall mission will be undermined in the absence of an efficient, inclusive and representative platform. It is clear that timely reform is urgent if the United Nations is to respond to 21st century realities and to the promise of peace.
Thank you