Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Bakir Izetbegovic, stated in his address to the UN General Assembly that peace and security, human rights and development are pillars of the UN, but that the world today is neither peaceful nor safe.
“It is endangered by injustice, inequality and intolerance that undermine the foundations of humanity. We are witnessing human suffering that goes beyond the limits and capacities of certain countries. Hunger, poverty, disease, forced migration and natural disasters affect millions of human beings. Numerous countries and societies are in constant conflict and violence is taking countless victims,” said Izetbegovic.
He emphasized that the world is facing the worst crisis of forced migration since the World War II, because 60 million people have left their homes because of war, persecution and violations of human rights, which is why they are struggling now in refugee camps.
Chairman Izetbegovic believes that these people should not be just faceless statistics, they are human beings and have every right to a future without violence, a future filled with hope and death, adding that “their tragedy is our tragedy, and their future is our future.”
“This crisis requires not only a humanitarian response, but also a sustainable political solution. It requires stronger political leadership and determination, as well as the reorganization of operations, and operational and financial strategies at national, regional and international level,” he said.
He recalled that BiH is a country whose hundreds of thousands of people have experienced the tragedy of the expulsion from their own homes, which is the reason why the great significance is given to this issue and he expressed the hope that the commitments made by Member States in the framework of Agenda 2030 will have a real effect.
BiH, he added, fully supports the Agenda 2030 and announced that as a newly elected member of the Economic and Social Council of the UN, BiH intends to have an active role in the implementation of the transformation of the form to change.
“Agenda 2030 requires not only the transformation “for the people”, but also “for the planet.” Development must not be at the expense of habitat. If we do not take urgent and coordinated global measures to reverse current trends of environmental degradation and climate change, we are risking to jeopardize the future that we wish for generations to come,” said Izetbegovic.
“World peace and stability was dramatically undermined by violence and crimes against the people of Syria. The fact that no influential global and regional actors managed to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria so far is disturbing, but BiH supports peace talks in Geneva and the efforts of the International Group for support to Syria in finding a political solution to this conflict,” added Izetbegovic.
“Terrorism is a global threat. There is no country immune to this threat, nor can any country confront it alone. With the increase of violent extremism, terrorism is becoming an increasing challenge that requires a comprehensive response. This problem should not be associated with any particular religion, nationality or ethnic group,” stated Izetbegovic.
“BiH is strongly committed to combating terrorism in all its forms. We are deeply concerned about the increase in violent extremism, and we give great importance to the fight against this phenomenon,” said Izetbegovic.
“By taking advantage of our geographical position as a bridge between East and West, as well as the meeting point of civilizations, it is our desire to encourage dialogue and understanding, and to create partnerships with friendly countries,” said Izetbegovic, adding that peace is not just the mere absence of violence, the peace is freedom from fear and insecurity.
In his address to the UN General Assembly, the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Bakir Izetbegovic, concluded that the path of progress leads from the end of poverty and reduction of inequality, through the construction of fair, equal, tolerant and open societies with respect for human rights and promotion of the rule of law.
(Source: fokus.ba)