“Peace: Making a Difference” - Rotary Day at the United Nations

Mr. Risley,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Rotarians,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

In joining the greetings from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Palais des Nations for the Rotary Day at the United Nations. Mr. Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, could not be with us today. He asked me to convey his message of support for this event.

It is immensely gratifying for me to open this first Rotary Day at the United Nations in Geneva and to welcome so many Rotarians from all over the world as well as various actors from International Geneva who gathered here today to celebrate the unique important contribution of Rotary to our collective efforts to shape a better future.

Some 1.2 million Rotarians engage actively and globally for a more peaceful, just and inclusive world. Rotary clubs worldwide promote peace; support education; engage in the fight against polio, AIDS and malaria; improve access to essential medical services and care for women and children; provide sustainable water and sanitation systems; and foster economic development. I congratulate Rotary for its long-standing commitment to addressing numerous global challenges that are also at the heart of the United Nations agenda.

The long-standing partnership between Rotary International and the United Nations started in 1945, when numerous Rotarians served as advisers and delegates for the very drafting and signing of the United Nations Charter. This valuable partnership has continued to grow in relevance throughout the 72 years of United Nations history to this day across the three pillars of the United Nations – peace and security, sustainable development and fundamental human rights.

Rotary’s values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership harmoniously fit the spirit of what we call “International Geneva”. It is a remarkable place. This city has seen the creation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863, the signatures of the Geneva Convention, the establishment of the League of Nations in 1919 and the birth of many international organizations, academic institutions and civil society initiatives. The ecosystem of International Geneva is unique and has developed tremendously over the past 150 years. Geneva is a true multistakeholder place and the operational hub of the international system. Every single country in the world comes to this place. UN Member States, international organizations and agencies, civil society, human rights defenders, the private sector, philanthropies, academic and research institutions work hand in hand across issues to address global challenges. This remarkable chemistry of knowledge, expertise, experience and operational outreach on issues ranging from human rights, humanitarian assistance, disarmament and health to telecommunications, development, science, technology, education, trade and other areas creates synergies for finding solutions to the major global challenges of our century. I value Rotary International’s contribution to these joint efforts.

With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted two years ago, our world leaders committed to a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred universal and transformative roadmap for action. The 17 Goals and 169 targets of this agenda aim to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable economic, social and environmental development. The 2030 Agenda - our global roadmap - is anchored in human rights, recognizing their primacy for building safe, just and sustainable societies and for leaving no one behind.

As we enter the third year of the implementation phase of the Sustainable Development Goals, the focus of today’s event on the linkages between peace, sustainable development, human rights, humanitarian assistance and education is timely, relevant and reflects the overarching priority of the Secretary-General in preventing and addressing root causes of violence and instability.

To reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, we need to strengthen partnerships and mobilize more actors. Rotary’s support in reaching out and encouraging young leaders all around the world in support of our common roadmap is crucial. At the United Nations, we know that we can count on you in this endeavour. UN is your home; you belong here. We need each and every one of you to take part in making a difference. Only together we will be able to transform our world into a better place for all.

I congratulate Rotary International with the organization of this event and wish you success in your important work.

Thank you.