International Delegates Day
The General Assembly Resolution by the resolution (A/RES/73/286) had established the International Delegate’s Day to be observed on April 25 in order to raise awareness of the role of the representatives and delegates of the Member States to the United Nations. With the adoption of the resolution 73/286, the United Nations General Assembly recognizes the crucial role of the delegates in fulfilling the main goals of the United Nations. Part of the delegates’ tasks is to live up to these goals, whether it is maintaining international peace, encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, or promoting effective multilateralism.
25 April 2020 marks the first annual International Delegate’s Day. This year it is a special observance because it also marks the milestone seventy-fifth anniversary of the San Francisco Conference, an event that laid the foundations of the United Nations. Delegates bring the United Nations to life. They regularly represent their home countries in an array of UN meetings. Delegates negotiate agreements, form alliances, and struggle for compromises. In that way, they embody the multilateralism, which the UN stands for. #DelegatesDay.
Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Delegates Day 2020, April 25.
We mark this first observance of International Delegates Day at a time when international cooperation has never been more important.
The COVID-19 pandemic demands united responses from all, without stigma and with a particular focus on the most vulnerable.
The delegates who represent their country at the United Nations are rising to the challenge, adopting new ways of working while building on a strong tradition of dialogue and collaboration.
I look forward to continuing our partnership as we strive to save lives, reduce human suffering and build a more peaceful, sustainable and equitable world for all.
António Guterres
Statement by the United Nations General Assembly President on International Delegates Day 2020; April 25.
On International Delegate’s Day we acknowledge the 850 delegates who participated in the San Francisco Conference seventy-five years ago, and in doing so laid the foundation for the United Nations. We recognize the important role of diplomacy in preventing war and conflict and paving the way for peaceful and prosperous societies through dialogue and collaboration, particularly during the most difficult of times.
I wish those who are suffering from COVID-19 a quick recovery and extend my sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones.
In the General Assembly, diplomats are entrusted by the peoples of the world to work together to champion human progress through promoting peace and security, human rights and development.
Our experience has taught us that when we work together, we prevail. We must never relent in our efforts to bridge gaps and act for the common good.
The Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change mark a major triumph for diplomacy and multilateralism. However, the present crisis threatens the gains we have made over the years.
In this Decade of Action and Delivery to implement the SDGs we must demonstrate even greater resolve and galvanise multilateral action to implement the goals in order to ensure outcomes that will build resilience for the most vulnerable communities.
During this extraordinary difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that we ensure the continuity of the essential work of the General Assembly.
I commend all delegates for adapting to innovative working methods at the United Nations and other fora during this trying time.
Together we must fight discrimination and stigma and halt the spread of fear and hate. It is only by striving together, that we will deliver a better, safer world for all.
As we commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, we must build trust with one another, deepen partnerships and show empathy. This is the only way to resolve the many challenges that confront us.
Tijjani Muhammad-Band
EVENTS: International Delegate’s Day 2020 at United Nations offices in New York, Genena, Vienna.
HOST:
FORUM: Celebrating seventy-fifth anniversary of the San Francisco Conference.
The 2020 International Delegate’s Day is special for two reasons. First, 25 April 2020 is the first time that International Delegate’s Day is observed. Second, the 2020 observance also marks the milestone seventy-fifth anniversary of the San Francisco Conference, an event that laid the foundations of the United Nations. Use the hashtag #DelegatesDay to join the conversation.
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