16 September 2022

Excellencies,

Mr. Secretary-General,

Ambassador and Madame Kimihiro,

Under-Secretary-General Fleming,

Distinguished Guests,

 

I am honoured to join you today to commemorate the 41st?anniversary of the International Day of?Peace.

 

I would like to extend my warm thanks to Ambassador Kimihiro and the Permanent Mission of Japan for championing this time-honoured tradition.

 

We need this solidarity today to ensure our work here is relevant and impactful.

 

As we gather, global?peace?is in grave danger.

 

More refugees and displaced persons are fleeing violence today than at?any?time since the creation of the United Nations.

 

There are more armed conflicts than any other time since the end of World War II.

 

The consequences of the war in Ukraine are global, felt far beyond the region.

 

It is a reminder that?peace?can always be threatened, and no nation can take it for granted.

 

The theme – as the Secretary-General mentioned of this year’s International Day – “End Racism. Build?Peace” . It compels us to remember that racism is still deeply entrenched in our world.

 

Racism is a threat, within and among countries.

 

Education and science are critical to tearing down the blinding stereotypes behind racism.

 

In turn, diverse ideas inspire creativity and drive innovation. This diversity is the source of our strength.

 

Let us harness this strength to work together – in partnership – to end racism and discrimination – in all its forms, once and for all.

 

Let’s commit to ending violence and discrimination against women and girls, which often is interlinked with and aggravated by racism. Let’s actively promote their equal and meaningful participation in decision-making, conflict prevention and resolutions.

It is in this spirit that the Assembly’s High-Level Meeting to mark the 30th?anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities will be held on the 21st?of September.

 

This Meeting offers us the opportunity to recommit to the practice of tolerance, inclusion and respect for all.

 

It is my expectation that our work during the Assembly’s 77th?session will be rooted in solidarity. It will seek sustainability. And it will consider that what science has to offer to help in shaping a more?peaceful world.

 

Dear friends,

 

We stand here today on the shoulders of brave women and men who dared to stand up for?peace?and equality.

 

These hard-won gains are worthy of remembrance. As the drafters of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights so eloquently professed “All human beings are born free and equal”.

 

May the ringing of this?bell?stand for the freedom and equality of everyone, everywhere.

 

I thank you.