Diplomatist Magazine DIplomatist September 2018 | Page 58

UN leaders have honoured Nelson Mandela
as a statue of the late South African leader
was unveiled at its headquarters.
FIRST NELSON MANDELA PEACE SUMMIT
I
n a tribute to the late South African President Nelson
Mandela’s celebrated qualities and service to humanity,
more than 100 Heads of State and Government,
Ministers, Member States and representatives of civil
society came together to unanimously adopt a political
declaration, committing to redouble efforts to build a just,
peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and fair world. Noting 2018
as the birth centenary of the late statesman, the UN General
Assembly convened the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit on
25 September in Geneva.
Nelson Mandela spent nearly three decades as a political
prisoner and many years thereafter negotiating the complexities
of peace making and nationbuilding. Madiba, as he was
popularly called, was a fi rm believer of multiculturalism and
took into consideration the interests of others while remaining
true to his ultimate goal of social justice.
Recognising the period from 2019 to 2028 as the Nelson
Mandela Decade of Peace, the Declaration saluted Mr. Mandela
for his humility, forgiveness and compassion, acknowledging
as well his contribution to the struggle for democracy and the
promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.
Heads of State and Government representatives reaffi rmed
their commitment to uphold the sovereign equality of all
States and respect for their territorial integrity and political
independence, as well as the duty of Member States to refrain
from the threat or use of force. Recognising that peace and
security, development and human rights are the pillars of the
United Nations, the Declaration reaffi rmed the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development.
It was declared that racism, xenophobia and related
intolerance represent the very opposite of the purposes of
the United Nations, and emphasised the resolve to protect the
rights of children, especially in armed confl ict. “Protecting
children contributes to breaking the cycle of violence and
sows the seeds for future peace,” the Declaration said. It
stressed the importance of the equal participation and full
involvement of women and youth.
In addition, leaders reaffi rmed the responsibility of the
State to protect its population from genocide, war crimes,
ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. They
underscored that civil society can play an important role
in preventing confl icts, contributing to peace building and
advancing efforts to sustain peace.
Importance of a comprehensive approach to sustaining
peace by preventing confl ict and addressing its root causes
and strengthening the rule of law, poverty eradication, and
social development were enshrined in the Declaration. “It is
clear that lasting peace is not realised just by the absence of
armed confl ict, but is achieved through a continuing positive,
dynamic, inclusive and participatory process of dialogue,”
the leaders underscored.
South Africa’s example in unilaterally dismantling its
nuclearweapon programme was welcomed, recalling the fi rm
plea made by Mr. Mandela in favour of the total elimination
of nuclear weapons. It further recommended “in the spirit of
Nelson Mandela’s legacy” that the United Nations explore
means to consider the needs of present and future generations
in its decisionmaking processes.
“Our common humanity demands that we make the
impossible possible.”
Minister of External Affairs, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj
represented India at the Summit. In her statement, the Minister
said, "Nelson Mandela's life is an inspiration for all. He
showed fearlessness and courage in the face of discrimination
and adversity…. India cherishes its special relationship and
longstanding partnership with Africa and its people. Our
close bonds are refl ected in the philosophy of Mandela and
Gandhi.”
The General Assembly’s Nelson Mandela Peace Summit
will resume on 2 October.
58 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 9 • September 2018, Noida