PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Peace and wellbeing are twin values of equally vital importance, to our united family of nations.
Peace and wellbeing were the two main themes which President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca stressed upon during the 107th Session of the IOM, where she was invited to deliver the keynote speech.
President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said that our aspirations to secure the values of peace and wellbeing can only become a reality when they are built on a shared commitment among nations, to safeguard our fundamental human rights, the upholding of human dignity and the promotion of a global social solidarity approach.
“This global social solidarity approach is portrayed in the full implementation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted by all countries within the United Nations, last year,” She said.
The International Community must endeavour to implement the Sustainable Development Goals
President Coleiro Preca said that to create meaningful wellbeing and sustainable peace in our world for the benefit of all humanity, the international community must endeavour to implement the sustainable development goals in all areas of social, economic, environmental and cultural betterment, and that “we must continue to compel our governments and all stakeholders to walk the talk”.
The President mentioned that all the strategies adopted must recognise the important link that exists between inclusive, democratic societies and the culture of sustainable peace. She also appealed to governments to ensure that human rights are accessible to each and every member of our societies, ‘so as not to risk even more discontentment among the peoples of the world’.
The International Community has had a number of opportunities to come together and develop strategies to move from words to action.
The President said that the living spirit of solidarity must animate all of our economic advances, the innovation of our technologies and the creativity of our interdependent societies. She appealed to all those present that together they must work harder to convince the international community that solidarity is the mutual understanding of a very basic reality and that it is the healing power of our shared humanity.
“To secure solidarity, I believe there is an urgent need in the world for an ethical approach towards wellbeing, which will unite our efforts, shape our thoughts, and direct our actions”. President Coleiro Preca explained that inclusive encounters with individuals and communities from across society must be nurtured in order to understand the meaning of this wellbeing. “Such encounters would result in all stakeholders working together, to achieve a sustainable and participatory peace”stated the President.
The International Community must not allow a generation of children to be abandoned, lost in an environment of unrest and conflict
As part of her appeal in favour of achieving peace and wellbeing, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca drew the attention of those present towards children, stating that the impact which the current situation and the sense of exclusion is leaving on them needs to compel the international community to act now. The President reiterated the need for governments and authorities, and international organisations to assert the importance of human rights, at every opportunity.
She mentioned the above, following the people and children who she met during a visit at the Al Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan.
“We can only be influential partners in a culture of solidarity if we are willing to work for the wellbeing of all people – we cannot wait for somebody else to do it for us. We must promote peace-building and respect in our societies, and across nations”, the President said.
Mentioning children once more, the President said they, together with the young people of the world, need to be nurtured, so that they can become strong activists for peace and wellbeing.
Missing Children Europe Conference: Lost in Migration: Working together in protecting children from disappearance
The President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca took the opportunity to mention the conference which Missing Children Europe is holding in Malta next month, in collaboration with the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society.
She said that this conference will bring together key stakeholders with the hope of developing a forward-looking action plan which shall protect children in migration and improve coordination among stakeholders.
Malta’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union
In light of Malta’s Presidency of the EU Council, the President said that the Presidency will highlight, with a special particular focus, the challenges and opportunities of migration within Europe and further afield.
“Malta recognises that we must act to implement effective and efficient measures, which acknowledge the concerns of individuals and communities in Europe, and uphold the human dignity of migrants and refugees,” the President said.
The President mentioned that Malta’s upcoming Presidency of the Council will also present an opportunity to practically implement the outcomes of the Valletta Summit, which include tackling public perceptions, effective investment in countries of origin, and attitudes in transit and destination countries.
Let us recognise that empowerment at community level sows the seed for a transformation that shall embrace nations.
In conclusion, President Coleiro Preca appealed that together “we need to strive to build a democratic culture of solidarity which we shall be proud to hand down to our future generations”.
Stating that she has faith in humanity, the President said that she refuses to accept that this period of anxious uncertainty will define our future. For this to happen however, ‘the international community needs to move from words to action’.
“It is up to each and every one of us too, to walk this journey together, united in pursuit of peace, and led by ethical commitment to the wellbeing of all humanity” concluded President Coleiro Preca.