President George Manneh Weah has suggested in a pre- recorded address to the United Nations’ 75th Anniversary that the future he wants for the world body is a UN that is more equitable and inclusive.
During the event observed Monday, 21 September, Mr. Weah said “We must have an inclusive society so that no one is left behind; and all member states must do their part in order to ensure that the UN is relevant to everyone.”
According to him, the United Nations that is need is expected to continue to deliver on its commitments, with emphasis on the pillars and principles enshrined in its Charter, and must also continue to respond to global challenges with the overarching goal of “Leaving No One Behind”.
“Let us all, therefore, take urgent and concrete actions towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the timely attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he urges.
Mr. Weah renews Liberia’s commitment to the United Nations, saying the country strongly believes that, in spite of its imperfections and shortcomings, the United Nations is still the most effective forum for ensuring international peace and security.
Through its many humanitarian agencies, he says, the United Nations has been very effective in the advancement and development of humanity, and the protection of human rights and the vulnerable in society.
Over the years since its founding, however, President Weah notes that there have been the constantly changing dynamics of international configurations of power and influence, as well as shifting alliances, which have given rise to the need to re-examine and perhaps re-define the mission and vision of the United Nations.
He stresses the need for the United Nations to re-examine and perhaps re-define its mission and vision so that it can become more relevant and responsive to the new realities.
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Accordingly, in 2015, he says further that the United Nations established a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) to replace the former Millennium Development Goals, with an Agenda to achieve these goals by the year 2030.
“They are meant to be a roadmap for our collective efforts to bring peace and prosperity to all mankind,” he adds.
Today, he says already five years into the 15-year Agenda, the UN has paused to observe this SDG Moment, and to take stock of the progress so far along this important roadmap.
With only ten (10) years left, he says it is already clear that “we will have to re-double our efforts and accelerate our actions in many areas if we are to attain any or all of these lofty goals by the end of this decade.”
In so doing, President Weah urges the need to take into account the fact that the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only slowed progress, but has also exposed in many ways the vulnerabilities and shortcomings of the current international world order.
According to him, the impact is especially felt in the areas of income inequality, poverty reduction, and sexual and gender-based violence, as well as discrimination against women and girls.
“It is important, therefore, that in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our search for solutions will be guided within the framework of these Global Goals, in a manner that will accelerate our transition to more sustainable and inclusive economies,” he says.
In confronting these new challenges, he notes that multilateralism, international cooperation, and global solidarity will become increasingly important in addressing the complex problems the world now has to grapple with.
Mr. Weah continues that the extent of that cooperation will determine how rapidly Member States, especially developing nations, will recover from the impact of COVID-19 and endeavor to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.-Press release
