The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is making a strong case for the United Nations (UN) to tackle head on challenges confronting the world.
According to her even though the UN has over the years weathered the storm in terms of the various challenges experienced by humanity current challenges pose severe risk to member states.
Speaking during the Forum of Small States (FOSS) High Level Virtual Meeting to commemorate the 75TH Anniversary of the Signing of the UN Charter, Madam Ayorkor underscored the need for the UN to do more in tackling current difficulties in the world.
“There is no gainsaying that the foundational principles of the UN have stood the test of time and remain relevant in tackling contemporary global challenges. However we remain challenged by existing and emerging threats, including complex and protracted conflicts, terrorism, cyber security threats, climate change, shrinking biodiversity, financing sustainable development and bridging the digital divide.”
“The 75th Anniversary of the United Nations should therefore be a time for sober reflection on the ability of our Organization to provide solutions to these issues and to make it fit for purpose for this 21st Century,” she emphasized.
Touching on the on the current pandemic, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey observed that” the international community is currently at an important cross road in history. The economic, social and humanitarian crises resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is a poignant reminder of the need for us to agree on the defining elements of our shared sovereignty, collective security, global solidarity and global concerns.”
“Ghana shares the view that this is the moment to energize and deepen the international cooperation in order to ensure that we recover together and re-build better,” she added.
On peace keeping and other humanitarian endeavors, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister lauded the UN for the strides it made not only facilitating political independence of several countries in Africa in the late 1950s and 1960s but for also rendering critical responses to various humanitarian crises, pandemics and other global health needs.
“Remarkably, since the signing of the Charter, the UN has scored significant successes and has been instrumental in maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for international and in advancing socio – economic development for all.”
She lauded the UN in particular the World Health Organization for providing leadership by coordinating global responses to the pandemic and reiterated the view expressed by President Nana Akufo Addo at the recent UN high level event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID – 19 and Beyond.
“At the event, the President called for a new narrative and paradigm shift that reflects a more inclusive and sustainable path to recovery, one that is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey therefore urged other countries to unflinchingly assist the the activities of UN indicating that, “the future we want can only be realized if Member States demonstrate renewed support for the United Nations and move away from indifference and cynicism. Ghana remains committed to playing her part in making multilateralism work for all,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile the United Nations will commemorate its 75th anniversary of the signing of its Charger on 26th June, 2020 under theme “The future we want, the United Nations we need; reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism”.
Source: Henry George Martinson/radiogoldlive.com <�0�6_�
