Dear friends,
In 1945 nations were united by the vision to protect future generations from the cruelty of war. They laid the foundations of the new international order, which put the humans at its core, not just states and their alliances.
Over the past 75 years, the United Nations have been the cornerstone of international law and the multilateral system. They have prevented numerous conflicts and mitigated consequences of many humanitarian crises. The UN has helped many colonized nations to gain their independence through self-determination.
Millions of people have risen from poverty and were protected from violence in the past 75 years. Through the Universal Declaration and many international treaties and conventions, the UN have encouraged the global movement for human rights, for social justice and equality. They have strengthened resilience to disasters and mobilised humanity in fighting climate changes.
The creation of the United Nations is a monumental global achievement of humankind. Yet, world organisation can be as effective as the member states will allow it to be. Due to the known inner obstacles to its work, there are still tensions and conflicts around the world, millions of refugees and migrants, uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources and denigration of human dignity. New dangers joined the old ones, such as religious extremism, transnational organised crime and the digital divide.
This year, the state of affairs got even more complex due to the pandemic of COVID-19. Apart from the immense suffering it provoke, the pandemic has made more visible the shortcomings of the international order and the systemic inequalities of our world.
We have only ten more years to realize the Agenda 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement. In order to complete the Sustainable Development Goals, we have to restore economic and social damages from the pandemic. This is within reach, but, only through multilateralism, international cooperation and global solidarity which requires strong and effective United Nations, reformed and ready for the new reality.
Since our independence, the Republic of North Macedonia has experienced the benefits and the challenges of the United Nations. From consumers of the first ever UN preventive mission – UNPREDEP we have become contributors to several peace missions throughout the world. Through the mediation of the United Nations we resolved an international dispute which has significantly delayed our incorporation into the international community.
In the years ahead, in the spirit of multilateralism, my country will continue to fulfil its international obligations and support the activities of the UN and its specialised agencies.
Dear Friends,
It is obvious that only by investing in the United Nations we have the chance to live a decent life and to build a better world for the present and future generations.
Thank you.
