Remarks by
The High-Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
Mr. Miguel Moratinos
“What Does Peace and Stability Mean in the 21st Century”
Nizami Ganjavi International Center
New York – 20 September 2021
Excellencies,
Dear Friends and colleagues,
Good morning.
It gives me great pleasure to be here in person with friends and colleagues and for that I thank the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and its able Secretary-General Mr. Rovshan Muradov for bringing us together this year
The question posed to all of us in this forum is very timely: What Does Peace & Stability Mean in the 21st Century?
I am inclined to zero on that question so that it reads: What Does Peace & Stability Mean in the post- COVID 19 pandemic era?
To answer either question, allow me to give, in a nutshell, my view of the current complex global landscape.
As we speak, the United Nations Headquarters here in New York is getting ready for the High Level Week or the High-level General Debate. The good news is that the format this year is partially in person or let’s say an advanced format of a hybrid meeting compared to last year.
Therefore, there is hope and hope brings new beginnings.
We are at a turning point and we cannot go about our lives as business as usual. Because we are not out of the woods. Not just yet.
The pandemic, as we heard from the previous distinguished speakers, has exposed our failures as a global community. A colossal failure in the global response to the pandemic which reflected – by default – the failure of the multilateral system. We failed the people. The human being who is the epicenter of this crisis.
This failure was clearly demonstrated over and over again in the past 20 months. First in the short and medium terms since the outbreak of COVID19 and then in the global vaccination program to end the pandemic and defeat it.
This does not mean abandoning multilateralism. We need multilateralism that works. An effective, well-managed, results-oriented multilateralism that puts people and their interests, front and center.
A reformed multilateral system that would be able to address the fissures and gaps that the pandemic exposed .
In many occasions, global responses to the pandemic were self-serving leaving the vulnerable and poor behind risking the gains made in the SDGs and the concept of “leaving no one behind”.
A virus of toxic hate spread like wildfire vilifying vulnerable communities and demonizing minorities
Discrimination based on religion, belief or identity sowed divisions fragmenting our already fragile societies.
There is a collapse of cultural diversity which is equally important, in my view, to the collapse of biodiversity.
Only events of such global consequence could and should generate the solidarity, resolve and vision necessary to create those governing structures.
The United Nations rose from the ashes of the Second World War with the purpose of saving successive generations from the scourge of war. A pandemic and a world-wide depression had preceded this devastating war.
Only events of such global consequence could and should generate the solidarity, resolve and vision necessary to create those governing structures.
The ugly truth is that there is no such thing as “we are in this together”. Theoretically, or virtually, maybe we are. But in real life this is a myth.
The spirit of solidarity, unity and collective action that was a driving force behind the establishment of the United Nations is absent today.
Excellencies,
Dear friends and colleagues,
With crises there is a door or a window of opportunity opens up. Optimists, like myself, always see it.
We should seize the opportunity and reset the button to emerge better demonstrating humility, humility and solidarity.
Just few days ago, on Friday 17 September we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the International Day of Peace.
However, the perils I mentioned earlier challenges our efforts for sustainable peace and stability.
We need to recommit to work together in solidarity, unity and compassion as one humanity.
Peace is at the heart of the work we do at the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.
We firmly believe that peace should be embraced as a way of life. A continued process, not a one time, feel good action.
A culture of peace should be nurtured through strengthening mutual respect and protecting the dignity of all members of the society regardless of their race, religion, belief or gender.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations strengthens a culture of peace through our cross-sectoral initiatives in the areas of Education, youth, women, religious leaders, faith-based organizations, media and migration.
As COVID-19 exposed the fissures and shortcomings in our societies, it is never too late to reverse course. Fulfilling goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development “building peaceful, just and inclusive societies,” is more imperative now than ever before. Allow me to reiterate that words like sustainable peace, dialogue, tolerance, diversity and respect mean little if not supported by concrete broad range of actions under an international umbrella of sincere cooperation from state and non-state actors.
In this context, the Secretary-General of the United Nations launched last week Our Common Agenda. An agenda of action, designed to strengthen and accelerate multilateral cooperation – particularly around the 2030 Agenda – and make a tangible difference to people’s lives.
And it is an agenda driven by solidarity – the principle of working together.
He proposed a summit for the future should include a New Agenda for Peace, that takes a more comprehensive, holistic view of global security
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations stands ready to support the Secretary-General’s efforts.
Concluding, I have been inspired by the great poet Nizami Gangavi. I wish to quote him “In the book of life, every page has two sides: we human beings fill the upper side with our plans, hopes and wishes . But providence writes on the other side and what it ordains is seldom our goal”
I hope the spirit of solidarity, unity, compassion and humility would guide our actions in every chapter in the book of life.
I thank you.