There is no alternative to the United Nations-led multilateralism to resolving the problems and overcoming the crises to ensure a better world for the people as well as the generations to come, global leaders said in an event on Tuesday.
Working together is more imperative than ever to overcome serious issues like the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, adverse effects of climate change, threat to international security, and inequalities and injustices faced by the people of the world, they said.
The world leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, spoke at an event on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations in Madrid, organized by Spain.
Sweden and Costa Rica were the co-sponsors of the event, titled “Together for a reinforced multilateralism.” Bangladesh, Canada, Korea, Jordan, New Zealand, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia supported the initiative.
Spanish King Felipe VI presided over the event, while heads of government and states, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and representatives from different countries spoke on the occasion.
The initiative aimed at calling for action for the implementation of the declaration adopted on September 21 in New York on the aforementioned anniversary.
Speaking on the occasion virtually, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed great emphasis on multilateralism.
“Bangladesh is a flag bearer of multilateralism and strongly pursues international peace and security by its high presence in the UN Peacekeeping and peace building process,” she said.
“We have adopted the ‘whole of the society’ approach in realizing the SDGs. We are equally committed to implementing the Paris Agreement,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina said: “As such, Bangladesh has been honoured to be chosen to lead the 48-member Climate Vulnerable Forum for the second time. We have also qualified to be graduated from LDC status in which the UN system played a crucial role.
“It reflects our commitment and trust in multilateralism,” she stressed.
“In today’s globalized world, constructive multilateralism is not an option; it is the only way out for a rules-based international order and common progress of humankind,” said the prime minister.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that no one is safe until everyone is safe. In order to reduce inequality, eradicate poverty and protect our planet by reducing carbon emissions, we need to work together and reinforce our multilateral efforts,” she added.
Stressing the importance of the UN, the king of Spain said the global body was the singular institution to implement the mechanisms to ensure security of the world.
It is the UN that is mediating and has mediated to resolve conflicts across the world, he said, adding that the success is only possible if everyone works together.
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón said pluralistic efforts were necessary to fight the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, inequalities and injustices.
Stefan Löfven, the prime minister of Sweden, said from his country that global concerns required global cooperation, and the world was facing unprecedented challenges in many areas.
In an inter-connected global society, multilateralism will have to make sure that no one is left behind, said Costa Rican President Carlos Andrés Alvarado Quesada, who also took part in the event virtually.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, acknowledged the achievements of the UN, but said the global body needs to be strengthened.
UN Secretary-General Guterres said that vaccines for Covid-19 must be made available for the whole world.