Officials Call for Renewed Commitment to Global Solutions on UN Day

Addis Ababa October 24/2024 (ENA) Officials, on the United Nations Day, called for a renewed commitment to addressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation.

They further emphasized on the importance of multilateralism in the UN Charter that would allow establishing a more equitable and responsive global governance system.

The 79th UN Day was marked today in Addis Ababa at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in the presence of UN officials, staff members, ambassadors, diplomats and invited guests. 

Speaking on the behalf of UN Chief António Guterres, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia, Ramiz Alakbarov highlighted  UN's role as a platform for global unity since its establishment in 1945. 

The coordinator further elaborated the organization's mission to tackle pressing issues, including poverty eradication, sustainable development, and the protection of vulnerable populations. 

Alakbarov mentioned the successes of the organization in recent times such as the adoption of the Pact for Future and the Global Digital Compact, which aim to adapt the UN to contemporary challenges like climate change and technological advancements. 

He also called on the stakeholders to strive for decisive action and multilateral solutions for peace and shared prosperity.

“In today's troubled world hope is not enough. Hope requires determined action and multilateral solutions for peace, shared prosperity and a thriving planet.”

Director-General for International Organizations at Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Semunigus Habtegiorgis on his part stated that the UN is a pivotal organization for addressing global challenges, stressing the need for enhanced cooperation and ongoing reform within the UN to effectively respond to security and development issues. 

 

“As a founding member of the United Nations, Ethiopia remains steadfast to strengthen its excellent collaboration with the UN system. We value our partnership, and we recognize the significant support provided by the UN across various sectors in Ethiopia,” he stated.

Moreover, Ethiopia is committed to further deepen its engagement with the UN Office to achieve SDGs in all its dimensions to realize an effective partnership that allows a meaningful UN support based on our national priorities, he revealed.

The Director-General also reaffirmed Ethiopia's dedication to the UN and its humanitarian initiatives, particularly in support of refugees and human rights. 

He further emphasized the importance of closing funding gaps for UN humanitarian actions and highlighted Ethiopia's election to the Human Rights Council as an opportunity for deeper collaboration.

Acting Chief of Staff and Advisor on Education to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Gaokgakala Daniel on his part reflected on the strengthened partnership between the African Union (AU) and the UN over the previous years. 

 

He asserted that effective collaboration is essential for achieving the dual agendas of the AU's Agenda 2063 and the UN's Agenda 2030. 

Daniel called for reforms within the UN to ensure it better represents the diverse realities of its member states, advocating for a new global social contract in light of recent discussions.

 “For the United Nations must reflect the world’s reality today. Reform to the United Nations must occur for it to serve all the people of the world equitably now and in the future,” he underlined.