The Council President of
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr. Olumuyiwa
Benard Aliu, and ICAO Secretary General, Dr. Fang Liu, issued a joint
statement today on the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day,
2015:
The air transport sector today stands on the cusp of a very important era in the history of international civil aviation.
Given the established pattern whereby the global air transport
network doubles in flight and passenger volumes every 15 years, and its
significant importance to the prosperity of societies and businesses all
over the world, the commitments and actions on behalf of world States
and organizations toward modernized and expanded civil aviation
infrastructure and capacities have never been more important.
Under its ‘No Country Left Behind’ programme, ICAO is working with
great determination today to raise global awareness on the fundamental
importance of the effective implementation of ICAO Standards and
Policies, which together support the enhanced safety, efficiency,
security, economic development and environmental protection of the
international aviation system.
This is the most important and urgently required first step which
must be undertaken if a State or Region hopes to improve its ability to
access and realize the significant socio-economic benefits which derive
from the availability of safe and reliable air services.
ICAO and its Governing Council also recognize that cooperation and
consensus have been the most important qualities contributing to air
transport progress since the dawn of the civil aviation era, and that
future objectives and solutions will require even greater partnership
and collaboration on the part of all players to ensure that air
transport will continue to serve as a significant enabler of global
peace and prosperity, wherever aircraft fly.
The ICAO Council has therefore selected a new theme for International
Civil Aviation Day which will stay in place for the years 2015-2018
inclusive, stressing its value and importance to civil aviation
everywhere, and which reinforces the above priorities and
considerations, as follows:
“Working Together to Ensure No Country is Left Behind”
The No Country Left Behind (NCLB) campaign
highlights ICAO’s efforts to assist States in implementing ICAO
Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The main goal of this work
is to help ensure that SARP implementation is better harmonized globally
so that all States have access to the significant socio-economic benefits of safe and reliable air transport.
The NCLB effort also promotes ICAO’s efforts to resolve Significant
Safety Concerns (SSCs) brought to light through ICAO’s safety oversight
audits as well as other safety, security and emissions-related
objectives.
Тема2015:"Почвыпрочную основудляжизни» 2015年主題：“土了堅實的基礎生活”
Theme 2015 : 'Soils a solid ground for life' Tema de2015:'suelos una base sólidapara la vida' Thème2015:«sols une base solide pourla vie» موضوععام 2015:"التربة أرضية صلبةللحياة"
Sustainable soil management is fundamental to achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals — many of which reflect the centrality of
soils to sustain life, food, and water.
We need to ensure the sustainable use of our terrestrial ecosystems
while we combat climate change and its impacts. The carbon
sequestration capacity of soils is an essential contribution to
mitigating climate change.
The challenge before us is clear. The United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization estimates that about 33 per cent of global
soils are already degraded. This trend must be reversed through
sustainable soil management practices.
Soils are the foundation of food systems. They are critical for
achieving food security and nutrition. Only healthy soils will produce
healthy food with the best nutritional value possible. They also aid
the production of pharmaceuticals and genetic resources — and contribute
to water storage and purification.
Let us promote sustainable soil management rooted in proper soil
governance and sound investments. Together, we can promote the cause of
soils, a truly solid ground for life.
Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Secretary-General
FORUM : The World Soil Day campaign aims to connect people with soils and raise awareness on their critical importance in our lives.
Special event on the occasion of the World Soil Day celebration and closure of the International Year of the
Soils 2015 – “Soils, a solid ground for life” (co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Italy, Qatar and
Thailand, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP)).
World Soil Day campaign
EVENTS :
The WSD 2015 will be celebrated on the 4th of December at FAO
headquarters in Rome and FAO regional offices. National events will also
be organized so make sure to regularly check the map of the WSD2015 events and/or register your event. The theme for this year will be “Soils a solid ground for life”.
Event title: Closing event of the 2015 International Year of Soils Organizer: European Commission and the authorities of the regions Brussels Capital, Flanders and Wallonia Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Brussels Environment Site of Tour et Taxis 86 C/3000, av. du Port 1000 Brussels
Event title: Soil and water resources for sustainable agriculture Organizer: Technological Education Institute of Epirus, Dept. Agricultural Technology, Lab of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Date: 7 Dec 2015 - 7 Dec 2015 Location: TEIEP Kostakioi Campus, FLA Building, Room B1
Event title: World Soil Day Movie Night Organizer: Colville Tribes Environmental Trust Program Date: 7 Dec 2015 - 7 Dec 2015 Location: Colville Tribal Government Center
Event title: World Soil Day Celebration 2015 in India Organizer: Department of Soil Survey and Soil Conservation, Kerala Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Event title: International Soil Health Day and SHC distribution Organizer: Krishi Vigayan Kendra,BAU-Ranchi Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Gamharia
Event title: Celebrate Soil - Know Soil, Know Life Organizer: DEDJTR VIC GOV and Soil Science Australia Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: ACMI, The Cube, Melbourne and Federation Square
Event title: Save our soils Organizer: Hyderabad Chapter Indian society of soil science Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Hyderabad Website: issshyd.org
Event title: Soil Profile Study on World Soil Day, 2015 Organizer: Centurion University of Technology and Management Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Paralakhemundi, Gajapati, Odisha, India
Event title: World Soil Day 2015 at Discovery Park of America Organizer: Discovery Park of America & The University of Tennessee at Martin Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Discovery Park of America
Event title: Soil day 2015 : la vita sotto i nostri piedi Organizer: Consiglio dell'Ordine Nazionale dei Dottori Agronomi e dei Dottori Forestali. Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Città dell’Altra Economia, Largo Dino Frisullo
Event title: Ethiopian Soil Campaign: World Soil Day 2015 Organizer: Ethiopian Soil Campaign Consortium, led by Ministry
of Agriculture and Natural Resource and having various development
organizations as active organizers Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa
Event title:Celebrate World Soil Day 2015 at Hawkwood College Organizer: CCANW Biodynamic Association and British Society of Soil Science Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Hawkwood College, Painswick Old Road, Stroud GL6 7QW
Event title:Cuarto Seminario sobre Manejo y Conservación del Suelo y Agua en Chiapas Organizer: José Luis Arellano Monterrosas, Juan Alberto Rodríguez Morales, Jaime López Martínez y Silvia Ramos Hernández Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Centro de Convenciones de la Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas en Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas
Event title:Super Soils Organizer: The Edible Gardening Team, James Hutton Institute and British Society of Soil Science Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Atrium, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Event title: World Soil Day 2015 in Egypt Organizer: Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University
Event title: Fair@Square: Unearthing Goodness - From Soil to Shelf Organizer: Moral Fairground Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 6 Dec 2015 Location: Federation Square, Melbourne
Event title: Sols, Biodiversité et Climat Organizer: Muséum national d'histoire naturelle Date: 5 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
Event title: Festive Family Saturday and Christmas Market 2015 Organizer: Hauer & Wirth Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Durslade Farm, Dropping Lane, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0NL
Event title: Soils Conference 2015 Organizer: Universidad del Valle Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Valle University, Auditorium 2, CUV Meléndez Campus
Event title: Soils and urban ecosystems Organizer: Soil Conservation Service of Iceland, Unitied Nation University-LRT, Icelandic UN associations Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Kaffi Loki Skolavordustig
Event title: Awareness on the importance of soil Organizer: Green Club, The American college, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 5 Dec 2015 Location: Madurai Tamilnadu Indiua
Event title: Open Day for Soil Ecology Institute Organizer: VermEcology (vermecology@gmail.com) Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Nogeyama Yokohama
Event title: Organic Production and Soil Health Organizer: Agricultural Land Management Division Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: University of the West Indies Mona
Event title: Jornada Día Internacional del Suelo 2015 Organizer: AACS - INBA (CONICET-UBA) Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Pabellón Bioquímica Facultad Agronomía UBA
Event title: Lecture ''Making Soil Science Sexy'' Organizer: The Tasmanian Branch of Soil Science Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Aurora Lecture Theatre, IMAS Building, 20 Castray Esplandade, Hobart waterfront
Event title: World Soil Day 2015 in Montenegro Organizer: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Montenegro
Event title: World Soil Day 2015 Celebration in Chicago. Organizer: Dr. Bala Chaudhary Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Institute of Environmental Sustainability, Loyola University Chicago
Event title: Vernissage of The Soil Museum _ MIdA Organizer: The MIdA Foundation - Integrated Museum of the Environment Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Pertosa (SA)
Event title: WSD 2015 FAO celebration Organizer: FAO Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: FAO
Event title: 3 actions for the soils Organizer: Naturefriends Greece Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 13 Dec 2015 Location: 72, Antheon, 72, 12461, Chaidari - Athens
Event title: IPLA WORLD SOIL DAY 2015 Organizer: IPLA- Regione Piemonte Date: 4 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: Turin
Event title: World Soil Day 2015 -UBC Organizer: UBC Soil, Water & Sustainability Group, Pacific Regional Society of Soil Science (PRSSS) Date: 3 Dec 2015 - 4 Dec 2015 Location: H. R. MacMillan Building (2357 Main Mall)
Event title: Colloque de la Journée Mondiale des Sols 2015 ''Les sols et le climat'' Organizer: Ministère de l’Ecologie, du Développement Durable
et de l’Energie (MEDDE) et du Ministère de l’Agriculture, de
l’Agroalimentaire et de la Forêt (MAAF) Date: 3 Dec 2015 - 3 Dec 2015 Location: Salle Monnerville, Palais du Luxembourg 26 ter, rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris
Event title: Travelling Field Workshop on Awareness regarding Soil Health in students and farmers Organizer: ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Regional Research Station, Chhalesar, Agra 282006 India Date: 3 Dec 2015 - 3 Dec 2015 Location: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Regional Research Station Chhalesar, Agra, 282006
Event title: Weltbodentag- International Meeting Soilmap Organizer: Fachabteilung Landentwicklung Date: 3 Dec 2015 - 3 Dec 2015 Location: AMT DER NÖ LANDESREGIERUNG, ST. PÖLTEN LANDHAUSPLATZ 1 , HAUS 12 3100 ST. PÖLTEN
Event title: Soil Health for Sustainable Future (SHSF - 2015) Organizer: Department of Environmental Science, Periyar University, Salem, TN, India Date: 3 Dec 2015 - 3 Dec 2015 Location: Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Event title: Lanzamiento del Sello Conmemorativo del Año Internacional de los Suelos 2015 Organizer: El Comité Nacional del Año Internacional de los
Suelos, integrado por FAO, MGAP (Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y
Pesca), MVOTMA (Ministerio de Vivienda, Ordenamiento Territorial y Medio
Ambiente), UdelaR (Universidad de la República), INIA (Institu Date: 3 Dec 2015 - 3 Dec 2015 Location: Facultad de Agronomía – UdelaR, Av. Garzón 780, Montevideo
Event title: Svjetski dan zemljišta Organizer: Ministry of agriculture and rural development Date: 1 Dec 2015 - 1 Dec 2015 Location: University of Donja Gorica, Podgorica
Event title: Great Mud Pie Bake Off Organizer: dirtgirlworld Date: 1 Dec 2015 - 7 Dec 2015 Location: secret location soon to be announced!
Event title: How to Combact Desertification? Organizer: College of Agriculture / Baghdad University- Iraq Date: 4 Oct 2015 - 4 Oct 2015 Location: Desertification Combact Dept./ College of Agriculture- Baghdad university
The first World Soil Charter (WSC) was conceived and formulated,
negotiated and adopted by the FAO member countries in the 1981 FAO
Conference. It was a major normative instrument agreed by member states,
and that the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) was duty-bound to promote
its principles. The challenges faced by the world have become more
evident and severe in the intervening three decades.
GSP Partners
considered that the 13 principles listed in the charter are still valid,
but needed to be updated and revised in light of new scientific
knowledge gained over the past 30 years, especially with respect to new
issues such as soil pollution and its consequences for the environment,
climate change adaptation and mitigation and urban sprawl impacts on
soil availability and functions.
The Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) was tasked to
produce a new version of this WSC making use of wide consultations
within the international soil community in order to assist with the
process.
Coinciding with 2015 the International Year of Soils, member countries
during the 39th FAO Conference unanimously endorsed the new World Soil
Charter as a vehicle to promote and institutionalize sustainable soil
management at all levels.
The Soil Atlas 2015 presents facts and figures about earth, land and
fields; its broad ranging significance and its current state in Germany,
Europe and the world.
The purpose of the report is to carry out the first ever global assessment of soils and soil change
The Status of the World's Soil Resources report (SWSR) will be
released on 4 December in FAO headquarters, Rome. The report will be
officially launched at a high-level event in Rome which will also mark
this year's celebration of World Soil Day and the official closure of
the 2015 International Year of Soils.
What is the report about?
The report is based on the assessment of more than 200
environmental scientists of the state-of-knowledge on soil resources and
soil change. It reports on the major soil changes globally and in more
detail on regional changes. The report provides documented scientific
data on soil erosion, soil organic carbon change, soil biodiversity
changes, soil acidification, soil compaction, soil sealing, soil
salinization and sodification, soil contamination, soil nutrient changes
and water logging.
What is the purpose of the report?
The purpose of the report is to carry out the first ever global
assessment of soils and soil change based on an extensive review of
published scientific literature.
Where can I access the report? The report will be available for download directly from the FAO Document Repository.
Launched on Dec. 5, 2013, the Soil Renaissance is a movement to make
soil health the cornerstone of land use management decisions, and bring
attention to the critical role of healthy soils in vibrant natural
resource systems.
On this day we celebrate the power of volunteerism. Volunteering fosters creativity, draws strength from our passions and connects us to those who need us most.
Volunteerism is a global phenomenon that transcends boundaries, religions and cultural divides. Volunteers embody the fundamental values of commitment, inclusiveness, civic engagement and a sense of solidarity.
During the Ebola crisis in West Africa, community volunteers, international volunteers and United Nations Volunteers were crucial to the response. A similar spirit of volunteerism and solidarity has been on display in addressing the current refugee crisis and this year’s devastating earthquake in Nepal.
The newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals offer another opportunity for individuals to show solidarity through volunteerism. All of us can contribute to realizing the 2030 Agenda’s vision of ending poverty.
Today, on International Volunteer Day, I thank the more than 6,300 United Nations Volunteers and 11,000 United Nations Online Volunteers who help millions of people to make sustainable change and peace happen. I also commend and salute the one billion community volunteers worldwide.
As we mark International Volunteer Day, let us strive to make the most of the power of volunteerism to build a more sustainable world and a life of dignity for all.
This year’s International Volunteer Day (IVD) theme, "The world is changing. Are you? Volunteer!" is challenging each and every one of us to be part of implementing the newly launched Gl obal Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a plan of action for ending poverty in all its dimensions, irreversibly, everywhere. Volunteerism, and each one of your volunteer actions, are critical to ensure we “leave no one behind” in this ef fort. When people volunteer their time, skills and energy, they are addressing inequality, innovating, and working with a broad range of partners to accomplish the Global Goals. Through volunteerism we bring people into the implementation process; voluntee rs create spaces for people to engage, acquire voice and contribute to saving the planet and humankind. An example of the power of volunteerism in engaging communities can be seen in the tackling of tuberculosis after the Aral Sea disaster in Uzbekistan. Action started with UN Volunteers meeting with local people to discuss the symptoms of the dis ease and treatments. Five years on, and as a result of this grassroots engagement, the UN joint programme has 1,730 dedicated community health volunteers, 86 per cent of whom are women, who are not only reaching 32,000 households but also empowering the co mmunity to hold the future in their hands. The contribution of volunteers in the new development agenda is two - fold. Volunteerism is a way for us all to be directly involved in achieving sustainable development and peace. At the same time, this essential way of fostering people’s participation makes it a key element for success when striving for sustainability of development. Volunteer organizations can be brokers of civic engagement, connecting institutional initiatives with volunteer action at loc al, national and global levels. An example of the impact of volunteerism is the Let Girls Be Girls campaign in Uganda. UN Volunteers have supported the Ministry of Health a nd the UN on decreasing the rate of teen pregnancy through an awareness campaign on the need for better education and health - care for girls. These volunteer efforts have led to community champions advocating for girls staying in school longer and explainin g how this leads to improved lives for all. Through involving people in such a development initiative real impact is seen through lasting changes in communities. On IVD 2015, we commend volunteers everywhere who are already making a difference in a changi ng world, and showing the power of volunteerism to move towards sustainable development. Let us all harness the potential that volunteering has to making global sustainable development a reality. It speaks to each of us to play a role, one volunteer actio n at a time . “The World is Changing. Are you ? Volunteer”.
Every year on International Volunteer Day (IVD), we recognize the invaluable contributions of volunteers to peace and development. This year, just two months after the launch of the new, universal development agenda, we promote the special role which UN Vo lunteers and volunteers worldwide will play in the implementation of the Susta inable Development Goals (SDGs) . The SDGs will guide development for the next fifteen years, offering a chance to meet the global citizenry's aspirations for a more peaceful and p rosperous, and sustainable future. The SDGs are universal goals, applying to countries at all stages of development. This makes the point that sustainable development in the 21st century isn't something which happens to somebody else, somewhere else. We all have a stake in it -- and every c ountry has work to do to progress towards it. The design of these goals was influenced by people from all walks of life, including through their votes in the MY World survey on priorities for the new development agenda. This campaign incorporated more than 8.5 million people’s voices from 194 countries, and engagement was made possible by community volunteer efforts. UN Volunteers reached out to vulnerable groups in India, marginalized people living in camps in Haiti, hearing - impaired youth in Rwanda, and c ommunities in Bangladesh, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Kazakhstan, the P hilippines, Sudan, and beyond. Now, as we seek ways for the new agenda to take root, volunteerism can be a help in the implementation of these new goals by reaching those who are marginalized and engaging people who may otherwise not have a chance to make a difference in their communities. In this way volunteers can embody the underlying principle of the goals to leave no one behind. UNV has a strong track record of getting development re sults. In Kenya, UNV supported a neighborhood volunteer scheme to help ensure peaceful elections. In India, UN Volunteers set up a programme fo r children with special needs. Today, on International Volunteer Day 2015, I want to thank all the volunteers who contributed to shaping the new development agenda, and to encourage you to continue to provide inspiration for the change the world needs. I also recognize the tremendous impact UN Volunteers are making within the UN system. In implementing the SDGs, U NDP will continue to see volunteers as catalysts for change who amplify citizens’ voices and facilitate participation so that development can be truly people - centred.
Helen Clark
UNDP Adminstrator
United Nations Development Programme.
Your world need you.Will you take the challenge, volunteer.
° Global selfie campaign: People around the world are invited to take selfies of themselves volunteering on 5 December and share them on social media platforms with descriptions of how they are making a difference, using the hashtags # IVD2015selfie , #actioncounts , and #GlobalGoals . The website www. volunteeractioncounts .org offers templates for the selfies. UN Volunteers will feature all of the selfies on an interact ive map of the worldwide volunteer community at www.volunteeractioncounts.org , which will grow as we gather pictures from around the globe.
° In Paragominas, Brazil , 2,300 people will participate in a group hug as a symbol of their commitment to catalyzing positive change in the world. Paragominas has become the first green municipality in the Amazon.
° In Guinea , volunteers will organize sports and cultural activities, grants, and training programs for Ebola orphans.
° In Makueni County, Kenya , volunteers will plant over 500 trees and 30 community ambassadors will be introduced. The ambassadors will help improve their communities as part of a pilot program called Lead the Change, which aims to build a national volunteer campaign platform for mobilizing comm unity change makers across Kenya to achieve the Sustainable Development G oals and Kenya's Vision 2030.
° In Ethiopia , volunteers plan to send more than 75,000 SMS messages to spread the word about the importance of volunteerism.
° In the Pata Rat area of Cluj, Romania , volunteers will organize workshops and games educating young people about proper dental care and mental health in a community of Roma people living in the city’s former garbage dump.
° In Toronto, Canada , award winni ng author and Crossroads International Volunteer Lawrence Hill will celebrate the spirit of volunteerism by reading from his new novel The Illegal. A sho rt book singing will follow.
° In Tbilisi , Georgia , five organizations - an elderly care center, a day center for children with disabilities, a center for street children, a homeless shelter, and an animal shelter - will open their doors for youth volunteers to spend the day giving back to the community.
° In Moscow, Russia , the Center of Curative Pedagogi cs will host an event at which volunteers will cook jam with young people who have special needs and then sell their products at a fair on 6 December in order to raise awareness about the necessity of volunteerism and the importance of volunteers in the li ves of you ng adults with special needs.
° In Guatemala City, Guatemala , volunteers and their families will celebrate International Volunteer Day with games and music in Erick Barrondo Park, to voice their support for the achievement of the Sustainable Deve lopment Goals.
° In Nepal , UN Volunteers has launched Faces of Volunteerism , an online contest asking volunteers to submit their photos and stories of making a difference. Winners will be invited to a celebration on International Volunteer Day
2015 State of the World's Volunteerism Report – Transforming Governance.
Volunteering in this report is also understood as overlapping and converging with social activism; while it is recognized that not all activists are volunteers, many activ - ists are volunteers and many volunteers are activists. The terms volunteerism and social activism are not mutually exclusive. The idea that volunteers only serve to support service delivery or are only involved in charitable ac - tivities is one that is limited and provides a superficial line of difference between volunteerism and activism.
At the upcoming seventieth session of the UN General Assembly, the Secretary-General will report to Member States on progress on volunteerism since 2012, and present a proposed Plan of Action for the next decade and beyond (2016-2030). The Plan of Action aims at integrating volunteering in peace and development policies and programmes through a strategic and collective long-term approach that matches the period of SDG implementation. It provides a frame through which civil society, the UN and other stakeholders can support and leverage the potential of volunteerism worldwide.
In this regard, the Post-2015 agenda offers an explicit opportunity to help anchor volunteerism, and the values it stands for, to the future global framework as it recognize the fact that development actions are more effective and sustainable when people are fully and freely engaged. The contributions that people freely make in their communities in terms of their knowledge, labour, time, skills, networks and other resources must be properly factored into policies, programmes and projects. Volunteering is a tried and tested way to engage people from the bottom up in all stages of planning, implementing and monitoring of a framework requiring the efforts of all stakeholders to sustainably change people’s practices, attitudes and mind-sets. As global consensus evolves to reach convergence of a new development agenda, volunteerism must be increasingly recognized as a key complementary mechanism to engage people in accountability frameworks that demand a stronger and more direct partnership between people and the state.
This International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is more than a
reminder of past crimes – it is a chance to renew our resolve to
combat contemporary problems.
Slavery has many modern forms, from the children toiling as
domestic servants, farmhands and factory workers, to the bonded
labourers struggling to pay off ever-surmounting debts, to the victims
of sex trafficking who endure horrific abuse.
Although statistics about these crimes are difficult to compile,
experts estimate that nearly 21 million people are enslaved in our
world today. We have a responsibility to them – and to all those at risk
– to end this outrage.
This is all the more important in our era of severe humanitarian
crises. More than 60 million people have been driven from their homes.
They may be at risk of trafficking and enslavement – along with millions
of others crossing borders in search of a better life.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers an opportunity
to fundamentally alter the conditions that fuel poverty, injustice and
gender discrimination. By adopting it, world leaders committed to
strengthen prosperity, peace and freedom for all people. They
specifically set the objectives of eradicating forced labour and human
trafficking – and ending all forms of modern slavery and child labour.
As we strive to achieve these targets, we must also rehabilitate
freed victims and help them integrate into society. The United Nations
Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery has for more than
two decades extended humanitarian, financial and legal assistance to
tens of thousands of victims around the world, making a meaningful
difference in their lives. I urge Member States, businesses, private
foundations and other donors to demonstrate their commitment to ending
slavery by ensuring that this Fund has the resources to fulfil its
mandate.
On this International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, let us
resolve to use the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a roadmap
for stamping out root causes and freeing all enslaved people in our
world.
Tell them that you support
the Forced Labour Protocol and explain why you think your government
should ratify it. Let them know that ending modern slavery is important
to you and that you want to see concrete action. Even one message from a
concerned supporter sends policy makers a powerful message that
citizens care.
This year’s observance of the International Day of Solidarity
with the Palestinian People falls at a time when security and hope are
at a low point.
A wave of violence has included heinous attacks, stabbings,
shootings and vehicular attacks causing immense suffering among Israeli
and Palestinian families alike. I condemn such attacks and all acts
of violence. Illegal settlement activities and settler-related
violence have continued, along with punitive demolitions of
Palestinian-owned homes and structures.
The tensions related to the Holy Sites in the Old City of
Jerusalem have introduced a troubling and dangerous religious dimension
to the conflict. During my visit to the region last month, I stressed
the need to preserve the status quo at the Haram al Sharif/Temple
Mount, in line with the agreements between Israel and Jordan and with
respect to the special role of His Majesty the King of Jordan, as
Custodian. I welcome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated
assurances that Israel has no intention of changing the status quo;
this commitment needs to be accompanied by actions to defuse the
situation and restore confidence.
It is crucial that leaders on both sides play a constructive
role towards resolving the conflict. Both sides must reject incitement
and inflammatory public statements.
Recognizing the security challenges Israel faces, I nonetheless
remind Israeli authorities that the use of force, if not properly
calibrated, feeds anger and frustration. I urge Israeli security
services to exercise maximum restraint, particularly in the use of
lethal force.
Palestinians feel deep frustration over an occupation that has
lasted nearly 50 years. Israelis fear deeply for their security. The
lack of a political horizon to achieve the two-State solution risks
allowing the situation to spiral out of control.
The international community can and must play a greater role to
break the impasse. The Middle East Quartet continues its efforts to
preserve the viability of a Palestinian State and establish conditions
for a return to meaningful negotiations.
On 29 November 2012, the State of Palestine joined the United
Nations as a “non-Member observer State”. Today, 136 countries
recognize the State of Palestine and its flag flies at the United
Nations next to those of all Member States. However, these advances are
not felt by children in Gaza, or by the residents of Nablus, Hebron
and East Jerusalem. What they feel instead is a lack of hope that
their lives will change for the better and that they will be citizens of
a State able to ensure their freedom and well-being through peace with
their neighbours.
On this International Day of Solidarity, let us reaffirm our
commitment to bring about the just peace that the peoples of Israel and
Palestine deserve.
