“We are doing a good job”

UN day is observed on October 24, every year since 1948. UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. The UN Charter is the founding document of this great nonpartisan institution that has been working towards global peace and equality. Protecting the democratic principles is also an important principle. “I can indicate that we are doing a good job,” said President Chandrikapersad Santokhi at the special public session of parliament on Friday. The head of state also emphasized the need for caution because democracy is under pressure worldwide. “Defenseless against the arrogance of leaders even that of democratically elected leaders,” said President Santokhi who emphasized that democracy is all too often being abused by dictators who want to achieve and hold on to power thourgh transformation processes. “Populism and the urge of leaders in some countries to transform democracy into authoritarian systems form a huge challenge to democracy,” said the head of state who also asked people to focus on the democratic system within the UN itself. A lot has changed in the world in the past 75 years. People must also look at how these changes are being expressed in the UN and in particular in the UN Security Council. For the past two decades there have been calls for reform. “It is time to create a new type of multilateralism that focuses on peace and prosperity for all nations.”