REMARKS OF
H.E. MR. NASSIR ABDULAZIZ AL-NASSER
HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS
AT THE
IX CONFERENCE OF THE RUSSIAN ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES OF THE MOSCOW STATE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UNIVERSITY) OF THE MFA OF RUSSIA
27 OCTOBER 2015
MOSCOW
Your Excellency, Mr. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Your Excellency, Mr. Livanov, Minister for Science and Education of the Russian Federation
Rector Turkunov, President of the Russian Association of International Studies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am privileged to have the opportunity to address this distinguished audience this morning.
I sincerely wish to thank the Moscow State Institute of International Relations for organizing and hosting this event on the “9th Conference of the Russian Association of International Studies.”
Today, we convene to celebrate milestones in the history of humanity.
To our agenda, we are celebrating the 70th Founding Anniversary of the United Nations and of its guiding principles. We are commemorating the 200 years of the Council of Europe and the 40th anniversary of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
We shall not forget that we are also celebrating the 71st anniversary of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
Like the United Nations, this institute was founded on the ashes of World War II.
I am amazed at the Institute’s mission in 1944, which aimed at educating war veterans who survived the ordeals of death and chaos.
The Institute is a shining example for the international community to witness the embodiment of the power of hope.
Its existence reminds us of the possibility to transmit the principles of peace and security, even after destructive human tragedies happened.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are meeting at a time of change for the United Nations and the world humanity.
We are living in societies that are progressing towards extraordinary technological and scientific innovations.
We know that progress has always been part of the powerful human mind and of its history. The humanistic principles attached to this notion have been secured in 1945, when the world community promised to remain in peace rather than in conflict, and to seek respect and dignity for all.
By the Charter of the United Nations, we secured 70 years of more inclusive and peaceful societies. We placed the principle of unity at the center of our vision for the future. The Charter says, I quote, “We the People.”
By the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948 by the UN General Assembly, we secured over 60 years of human dignity, right to life and liberty.
By the Commitment of the world community to development, through what we call the Millennium Development Goals, we secured greater socio-economic advances the last 15 years.
And earlier this past September, we witnessed 193 States reaffirming their commitment to greater human progress, with the adoption of the 2030 agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainability of our world has become conventional wisdom.
This agenda of a world where peace and freedom prevail is at the core of the creation of the United Nations. More than ever, we all feel a sense of urgency. More than ever, we understand that the new sustainable development agenda 2030, must include all people, especially young men and women, embracing cultural diversity and religious differences.
This is where the work of the Alliance is paramount. Sustainable development is not possible where wars and conflicts reign.
The vision of the founders of the Alliance was shaped by the awareness that promoting understanding between nations and communities across cultural and religious divides were fundamental for conflict prevention.
We all know that the 17 development goals, which were adopted by the General Assembly, are attainable when people realize that cultural and religious diversity enriches societies. This is where the Alliance role come into play.
To reach the targets defined under the 17 goals, we need to reinforce dialogue across civilizations and religions. We need to strengthen the culture of peace and work towards achieving the ultimate goal of living together in harmonious, inclusive and peaceful societies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we mark the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations, we are also celebrating the legitimacy of an international organization that remains necessary today in order to secure multilateral action and cooperation. Without an international platform allowing cooperation, the achievements experienced by the world community would not exist.
Yet, despite our commitment to progress and human dignity, we have faced, and continue to face many challenges since 1945.
There are wars and conflicts we are not able to stop , despite instruments such as international laws and collaborative action.
There are still deadly diseases, such as HIV and AIDS, claiming millions worldwide. We are still not able to find cures, despite great humanitarian and scientific efforts.
And the world is facing the biggest refugee crisis since World War II, with over 60 millions of men, women, and children fleeing tragedies.
Ladies and Gentlemen, these realities confirm that the inclusive and prosperous world we aim at achieving requires concerted and diligent efforts.
We will not be able to fully promote development and progress if continuing conflicts and dramatic urgencies are at the forefront of our action plans and priorities.
The challenges we face are precisely the challenges of 193 UN Member States.
Each 193 States have their own history and their own political systems.
But these 193 UN Member States also have a unifying force, which is the common search for a better a world, sealed by the UN Charter. This guiding principle is our shared wealth.
We must finally recognize our mutual vulnerability. The fine lines that existed between strong and vulnerable states; between rich and poor states, do not protect against the challenges of an increasingly borderless world. The only valid protection in the 21st century remains the same we found on the ashes of the two world wars: international collaboration and partnership.
Last April, I co-organized a High-Level Thematic Debate in order to address this particular need for international collaboration, in partnership with the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly. The meeting was the first in its kind at the United Nations. We raised awareness on the root causes of the scourge of radicalization and extreme violence. We gave a platform to the voices of moderation to promote unity in diversity. And we promoted the principles of reconciliation and mediation in times of conflict.
There is no doubt on the effectiveness of mediation in contemporary conflicts. During the 66th session of the UN General Assembly in 2012, I made mediation the priority tool of my Presidency. The Assembly provided space for extensive deliberations and increased the momentum around mediation. Mediation allows to create vital ties between the involved partners.
This point leads me to address alliances, and more particularly, alliances among civilizations.
I have always believed that dialogue among civilizations offers a complementary approach to preventing and peacefully resolving conflicts. That is the reason why I have placed a special focus on the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations since 2013.
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 as one community. It is also a reminder of the need for UN Member States and for the world regions 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, allow me to restate the necessity of an international institution, such as the United Nations, to exist. Our journey towards a prosperous world community will only be achieved through joint efforts. However, it is clear that the legitimacy of its overall mission will be undermined in the absence of an efficient, inclusive and representative platform. I strongly believe that timely reform is needed if the United Nations is to respond to the realities of the 21st century. Sustaining the central role of the United Nations in the global arena demands serious progress in relevance to Security Council Reform. Why? Because when people think of the United Nations they often think of the Security Council. I believe that our efforts to reform the Council should chart a course between realism and idealism.
Let’s all remember that in 2030 we will be judged by the efforts and results and were able to achieve.
I Thank you.