Ambassador Munir Akram Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN spoke as a panelist during the opening ceremony of Future We Want New York: Global Initiative for Young Leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
In his address, Ambassador Akram spoke to the youth and inspired them to take action as future leaders.
“As you represent your countries and your people I hope you will not forget those who are not here and are not privileged to be here,” said Ambassador Akram as he reminded the youth to think of the less fortunate.
The Ambassador spoke about his own journey as a representative to the UN and his role in achieving the goal of progress of the UN Charter.
“We have resolved conflicts and made progress but this progress has been partial and has been incomplete and unequal,” said the Ambassador.
He encouraged the youth to work in the fields of progress which were overlooked and to work for a better future.
“We are faced with a world today whose hallmark is inequality. Inequality between the powerful and the weak, between the rich and the poor, between the privileged and the destitute,” Ambassador Akram added while saying that “we will strive to do everything possible to strengthen the United Nations in every way possible.”
Ambassador Akram also described issues relating to climate change, security, and peace development.
“We need to address the peace agenda. We need to address the threat of nuclear annihilation. We face it today, as much as we did in the Cold War. We need to control the arms race where expenditures are at the highest level in the history of the United Nations,” said the Ambassador.
Statements were also delivered by UN Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guettres, Executive Director Italian Diplomatic Academy Prof. Abramo A., Director of the Outreach Division UN Department of Global Communications Maher Nasser, and ambassadors of other permanent missions to the UN including Canada, Portugal, Philippines, and the Republic of Guyana.
Mr. Naser in his remarks mentioned the climate-induced flooding disaster in Pakistan and solidarity visit of the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the affected areas.
“We see the Impact of climate change and the biggest suffering we see around the world is in countries and populations that had no role in creating the problem,” said Mr Naser referring to the dependence industrialized nations had on fossil fuels during the industrial revolution.
“All the carbon, fossil and greenhouse gasses that are out there are the legacy of the 250 years of reliance on fossil fuels,” added Director Naser.
Future We Want Model United Nations, is inspired by the 2012 Rio+20 Resolution, “The Future We Want,” and is is committed to promoting a united international community and a more sustainable world through the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with key focus on 17 SDGs which mention the youth and education. UN high-level officials have mentioned the importance youth organizations play in advocating for the SDGs in their countries and shaping future leaders.
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