<externalvideo src="YT:2x2BeOrnq6 I:D"> BY H.E. MS. EKATERINA ZAHARIEVA DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER FOR JUDICIAL REFORM AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIABY H.E. MS. EKATERINA ZAHARIEVA DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER FOR JUDICIAL REFORM AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
MR. SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, MR. PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, The United Nations Organization was born, as the emanation of the hopes and yearnings of the peoples on our planet for peace, freedom, human rights and prosperity. Over the last 75 years, the United Nations has established itself as the cornerstone of international order and of the fundamental human rights and freedoms. The basic principles proclaimed by the UN Charter became the major source of international law. The UN was always present where conflicts were to be resolved, where thousands of human lives had to be saved, or where millions of children needed education and healthcare. Starting with the first “Blue helmets” in the Middle East in 1948, more than a million men and women served in the emblematic UN peacekeeping operations and missions – over 70 to date. The anniversary of the United Nations is also a moment for reflection. It turned out that 75 years were not enough to bring about the ideals set by the UN Charter, nor were we even close to have the people’s dreams come true. How to achieve our vision for the United Nations? This is yet one more reason for all of us to unite and find together adequate responses to the unprecedented threats and challenges faced by our societies. In this respect, the Alliance for multilateralism, established last September, with my country, Bulgaria, as a co-founding member, has an important role to play. On solemn occasions like this, we should strive to let optimism prevail. We need both an impetus and enthusiasm to keep working hard for the noble causes of this Organization – be it Peace on Earth, Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, winning the battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting human rights, combatting terrorism, or coping with climate change. How the United Nations will look like tomorrow depends on us! We can shape its future together! Let us just do it!