Addis Ababa, 24 October 2016 (ECA) – The Economic Commission for Africa joined the United Nations family worldwide in marking this year’s United Nations Day with Executive Secretary Carlos Lopes delivering Secretary General Ban ki-Moon’s message to the world.
Mr. Lopes was joined by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from 27 UN entities in Ethiopia, UN staff and others during the celebrations that included entertainment from an Ethiopian band and the raising of the UN flag.
“Humanity has entered the area of sustainability with a global commitment to fulfil the great promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Mr. Lopes said on behalf of the Secretary General.
“In this, the Organisation’s 71st year, we have 17 goals to propel us towards a better future for all on a healthy planet.”
He applauded Member States for embracing the historic Paris Agreement on climate change, adding the landmark measure, which enters into force November 4, was the best chance for greener, low-carbon growth in the world.
The UN Day this year was marked as the Organization is also in transition from its eighth to ninth Secretary General.
In the remarks, Secretary-General Ban said he had been honoured to serve ‘we the peoples’ for the past ten years adding, “Together, we have put in place some solid foundations for shared progress, which we must build on by working even harder to empower women, engage youth and uphold human rights for all.
“But we have also suffered enormous heartbreak, including unresolved conflicts causing immense suffering throughout the troubled Middle East, South Sudan, the Sahel and beyond. In these and other frontlines of violence and disaster, courageous UN staff continue to rise to the occasion and respond to the plight of the vulnerable.”
Mr. Ban urged people across the world to support Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres as the UN continues with its global mission of peace, sustainable development and human rights.
United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, said the ‘Road to Dignity by 2030’ was the highest common value the UN has had since the establishment of the organization some 71 years ago.
“Your governments have signed up to end poverty, transform all lives and protect the planet,” she told diplomats and others gathered to mark the UN day.
“We have committed to ensure that no-one is left behind and we need to translate this commitment to action on the ground.”
Ms. Eziakonwa-Onochie said the UN in Ethiopia is supporting the government’s efforts to integrate sustainable development goals with the national agenda.
She said a key area that forms the bedrock of the successful implementation of the SDGs was the availability of quality and timely data.
“Both development partners and countries need to join the data revolution to translate our commitment to improved planning and monitor-able action,” she said.
A representative of the refugee community in Ethiopia, Mary Simon, urged world leaders to work together to implement the 17 SDGs saying this would make the world a much better place for everyone.
She delivered a message breaking down the SDGs from a youth’s perspective and called for peace in the world.
“Whatever bed we make, we will have to lie in it. We have to work hard together to improve life around the world,” said Ms. Simon, who came to Ethiopia as a refugee from Uganda.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org