UN celebrates International Day of Peace
MBABANE – The United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Peace (IDP) under the theme ‘Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world’.
UN Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Eswatini, Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, shared a message by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the day which was commemorated yesterday. She shared her own sentiments towards the meaning of IDP.
“Today is the International Day of Peace, the call for action is to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals despite the challenges that we face as one humanity,’’ said the coordinator.
The UN General Assembly declared every September 21 as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace and observing 24 hours of nonviolence and ceasefire around the world.
In her message, Ndongo-Seh underscored the importance of restoring peace as the only option to repair the broken world.
“Indeed, the world is faced with many challenges. COVID-19 has devastated households and national economies and continues to claim the lives of breadwinners. This is happening at a time when conflicts are spinning out of control and inequalities and poverty are growing,’’ she said.
In addition, she said as the world heals from the COVID-19 pandemic, they were inspired to think creatively and collectively, in a spirit of generosity and solidarity, about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform the world into one that was more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier.
She highlighted that the secretary general appealed for a global ceasefire to ensure that people caught in conflict had access to lifesaving vaccinations and treatments.
“To be able to recover from the devastation of the pandemic, we must make peace with one another. We must also make peace with nature. We need a green and sustainable global economy that produces jobs, reduces emissions, and builds resilience to climate impacts,” said Ndongo-Seh.
She mentioned that the Kingdom of Eswatini had been known for decades for being a country of peace.
However, she said the nation had been plagued with incidents of unrest and protests which were threatening to reverse the gains made in areas such as health, renewable energy and climate action.
“As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Development System in Eswatini and the government have committed to a prosperous, just and resilient Eswatini where no one is left behind. This vision and strategic goal cannot be achieved without peace,’’ she said.
Ndongo-Seh said a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive society cannot be achieved without access to education, health and essential services; without young women and men being afforded the chance to live as they choose.
She mentioned that when children were robbed of their right to quality education due to the prolonged closure of schools; when brothers and sisters of the same nation fail to live with others on the basis of tolerance, respect and mutual understanding, this destabilised peace in the kingdom.
“Peace is much more than a world free of war. It means resilient, stable societies where everyone can enjoy fundamental freedoms and thrive rather than struggle to meet basic needs. As Madiba said, peace is not just the absence of conflict but is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference,’’ shared the coordinator .
In conclusion she said the IPD was for re-committing to make peace with one another, as well as with the planet.