FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION
A compilation by CPNN
At the recent United Nations High Level Forum on a Culture of Peace, delegations from around the world recalled the 1999 UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and called for its implementation. Here are excerpts from statements made at the Forum by delegations from Europe, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and the Arab States.
Her Excellency Mme. Elisenda Vives Balmaña, Permanent Representative to the United Nations from Andorra
On the other hand, just as they boycotted the UN Conference to ban nuclear weapons, the countries of NATO and their allies boycotted the forum. The only exception was the delegation from Belgium.
“Andorra applauds the action of UNESCO in favor of the culture of peace based on the universal values of tolerance, liberty, solidarity, human rights and gender equality. It is a concept that can be found already in the 1999 adoption by the General Assembly of resolution A/53/243 which proposes the promotion of peace through education which should be available to all children, with a particular attention to women.”
“Bangladesh along with all the stakeholders have been engaged in the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace which highlighted the priority areas for the full and effective implementation of this visionary and universally applicable idea.”
“Belgium remains convinced of the pertinence of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace adopted in 1999.”
China: “States should accelerate the realization of the goals related to the culture of peace in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and effectively implement the General Assembly’s Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.”
Cuba: “Eighteen years after the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, Cuba reaffirms its full validity and is grateful for the convening of this High-Level Forum, which allows to reflect on how much is yet to be done to achieve and enjoy a true cultue of peace, fostering understanding among peoples and tolerance of diffeences.”
“India welcomes and fully supports the landmark resolution A/53/243 on the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. A culture of peace is the keystone of the foundation of a global order of peace and tolerance. In the long history of human civilization which have seen many years of warfare, the United Nations has been a guiding light in the 20th Century with the many initiatives it has taken to build a peaceful and just order.”
Lebanon: “This event gives us the opportunity, not only to celebrate, but also to review our commitment made almost two decades ago in the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.”
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What is the United Nations doing for a culture of peace?
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Libya: “In 1999 the General Assembly adopted the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace which was considered a guide for governments and civil society to promote the culture of peace. This declaration linked the concepts of culture and peace as th main pillars of peacebuilding.”
Malaysia: “My delegation reaffirms its support and commitment for the continued and effective implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace which remains relevant to uphold respect for life as well as human values and diversity. It would be remiss for me to not mention the importance of values set about by the Declaration, including ending of violence, practice of education, dialogue and cooperation, as well as adherence to principles of justice, tolerance, cooperation and cultural diversity. It is our view that these principles , when applied, will address the challenges that we have been facing in attaining the culture of peace.”
Mexico: “The adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace represents an important step towards establishing integral strategies to promote the culture of peace that contributes to guarantee a sustainable peace in the long term.”
Pakistan: “The General Assembly Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace of 1999 bound us all in a global commitment to build a new century of peace and coexistence.”
Qatar: “In conclusion, I would like to stress our commitment to implement the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and we will continue to provide support to all efforts at the national, regional and international levels in order to promote the culture of peace and nonviolence so that we can benefit the entire humanity.”
Republic of Korea: “The 1999 Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace expanded the parameters of the concept of peace, connecting it more firmly to development, empowerment, human rights and government transparency. In our rapidly changing world, we must zero in on those who can benefit the most from programs meant to promote a culture of peace and ask ourselves if they are being well served,”
Russian Federation: “The significance continues to grow of the inter-religious, inter-civilizational and intercultural dialogue and cooperation and promotion of principles and orientation, that was established by the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace in 1999.”
“Venezuela has actively supported all initiatives of the United Nations fostering a culture of peace, and the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, as well as the International Year for the Culture of Peace, and innumerable specific actions which contributed to a culture of peace and nonviolence from 2000 to 2010.”
Editor’s note: The statements from Andorra, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea and Russia are available as pdf images at https://papersmart.unmeetings.org/ga/71st-session/high-level-forum-on-the-culture-of-peace/statements/. Remarks from Andorra, Belgium, Cuba, Mexico and Russia are translated by CPNN. Statements from Lebanon, Libya, Qatar and Venezuela, are transcribed from the English language interpretations available at http://webtv.un.org/search/high-level-forum-on-the-culture-of-peace-general-assembly-71st-session/5567708131001/?term=&lan=english&page=2, while those from India and Malaysia are transcribed from the English language interpretations available at http://webtv.un.org/search/panel-discussion-on-sowing-the-seeds-on-the-culture-of-peace-at-high-level-forum-on-the-culture-of-peace-general-assembly-71st-session/5566146546001/?term=&lan=english&page=2.