PH Pays Tribute to Nelson Mandela at Peace Summit, Endorses Political Declaration
The Philippine Delegation, led by Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. pays tribute to Nelson Mandela and endorses the Political Declaration adopted at the Peace Summit during the 73rd UNGA in New York. (New York PM photo)
NEW YORK 19 October 2018 — The Philippines paid tribute to the late South African President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Nelson Mandela on 02 October 2018 at a peace summit in honor of the centenary anniversary of his birth, and adopted a Political Declaration to redouble efforts to build a just, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and fair world.
In his statement, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. honored the legacy of Mandela as a freedom fighter and a nation-builder.
“Nelson Mandela, ‘Madiba,’ embodied the highest ideals of humanity—courage and compassion, humility and harmony, intelligence and integrity, respect and reconciliation, tolerance and total commitment to justice, and personified the values of the United Nations—social justice, promotion and protection of human rights, the fight against poverty and discrimination, and peace and freedom,” Ambassador Locsin said.
In accordance with UN Resolution 72/243 on the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit adopted by the General Assembly on 22 December 2017, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a political Declaration at the opening of the Summit on 24 September 2018.
It is a negotiated political document that includes, among others, a commitment to revive the values for which Mr. Mandela stood by placing human dignity at the center of the international community’s actions. It includes commitments to mutual respect, tolerance, understanding and reconciliation in member states’ relations.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that “as President of South Africa, Madiba championed women’s rights and South Africa’s landmark 1996 Constitution, which remains a beacon for human rights and equal opportunity… and, beyond South Africa’s borders, Madiba was a profound influence for peace and democracy.”
UN General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, in turn, expressed hope, during the unveiling of Mr. Mandela’s statue at the UN headquarter on 24 September, “that the placement of this statue – within the physical boundaries of the UN territory – will serve as an inspiration and reminder to all Member States.”
At the opening ceremony of the Peace Summit, Ms. Espinosa also said that “throughout Mr. Mandela’s life he was always guided by the principles that are the bedrock of the United Nations, including the values of peace, solidarity, cooperation and respect for all humans.”
Keynote speakers for the opening session were Ms. Graça Machel of The Elders, and Amnesty International Secretary General Kumi Naidoo.
Mrs. Machel, wife of the late global statesman, said that he “represents a light of hope for a world still torn apart by conflicts and suffering.” Mr. Naido stressed that “the political declaration is an opportunity for renewed commitment in these troubled times.”
The first day of the Peace Summit was attended by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for UN and Other International Organizations Noralyn Jubaira-Baja.
Over 120 member states and observers delivered interventions during the Peace Summit which includes Heads of States and Governments, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Vice Ministers.
At least 140 non-government organization and civil society organizations, including Liter of Light/Isang Litrong Liwanag and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, also participated in the Peace Summit.
“The life and legacy of Madiba is about self-sacrifice, constructive reconciliation and an unwavering commitment to freedom. The challenges for all of us remain: to envision all possibilities where none seems to exist, and to continue to work for a just, inclusive and better world,” Ambassador Locsin concluded.
Mr. Mandela was a political prisoner for 27 years. On 10 May 1994, he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected President. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalized racism and fostering racial reconciliation. Then President Mandela paid a state visit to the Philippines in March 1998. END
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