“Upholding the UN Charter and the Purposes and Principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): Towards a Culture of Peace”
Distinguished Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement,
H.E. Mr. Jorge Arreaza, Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,
Distinguished President of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa,
Distinguished Ministers members of the Non-Aligned Movement,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour to address the Non-Aligned Movement on behalf of the Secretary-General, for the first time.
The Non-Aligned Movement represents nearly two-thirds of the membership of the United Nations. You hail from diverse societies joined by common goals.
For decades, the United Nations has greatly benefited from our partnership with the Non-Aligned Movement. We share an abiding belief in the importance of international cooperation, respect for human rights, justice and equality of all races and all nations.
From its inception, the Non-Aligned Movement understood the critical importance of multilateralism. The topic you have chosen for this Ministerial Meeting, [“Upholding the UN Charter and the Purposes and Principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): Towards a Culture of Peace”], reinforces this idea.
No country, regardless of size or resources, can on its own address the challenges deriving from today’s global trends –such as climate change, growing inequality, migration, and the increasingly complex and internationalized nature of conflict.
Mister Chair,
The United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement are united by a common purpose: an understanding that multilateralism is the most effective means to address these global challenges.
However, these are trying times for multilateralism. Yesterday, in his opening remarks at the General Debate, the Secretary-General expressed concern that “multilateralism is under fire precisely when we need it most”.
The Secretary-General further called for “renewed commitment to a rules-based order, with the United Nations at its centre”.
More than ever, we need the support of the NAM in asserting the value of international cooperation and multilateralism.
Ladies and gentlemen,
There is no clearer path to move toward a culture of peace than through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Members of the Non-Aligned Movement have been crucial in making sure that sustainable development remains central to the UN agenda.
The 2030 Agenda points to renewed faith in multilateralism and gives us hope that we can overcome global divisions in the name of the common good.
Mister Chair,
To conclude, I would like to say a few words about the UN reform, the operational response to the 2030 Agenda, which reinforces synergies among the peace and security, the development and the human rights pillars of our organization.
The reforms presented by the Secretary-General, based on an ample debate among Member States, aim to make the United Nations more “fit for purpose” and will strengthen our collective efforts to ensure that the multilateral system is more effective in responding to the current volatile global environment.
The Secretary-General has placed great emphasis on sustaining peace and prevention, understood in a broad sense that includes prevention of natural disasters, conflict, human rights violations, among others.
Sustaining Peace calls for ensuring national ownership through inclusive and people-centred approaches.
Sustaining Peace stresses the need for stronger partnerships between the United Nations, regional and sub-regional organizations, international financial institutions and civil society organizations.
Sustaining Peace also highlights the need for predictable, fast and flexible funds to advance peacebuilding priorities.
With the approval of the reform proposals by the General Assembly, the peace and security architecture will now be better positioned to both help to prevent conflicts and more effectively respond to resolve them, thus contributing to the advancement of a culture of peace.
Guided by the core principles of equality, justice and peace, as enshrined in the UN Charter we look forward to continuing our joint cooperation to address today's pressing challenges and build a better world for future generations.
Thank you.