"Children dying of hunger and infections, women suffering from violence, 42 thousand people who become refugees every day, every seventh person living in poverty, and even nature endangered by a consumer-oriented approach call for the international community's attention. They all need actual help and support rather than declarations which do not reflect the realities of life and remain on paper," the President said.
The President pointed out that an effective use of development cooperation could be a strong force to fight the threats emerging to human security – terrorism, military unrest and mounting migration. According to the UN Refugee Agency estimates, as of last year a total of 60 million people globally were forced to flee their home – a number equal to the populations of Italy or Great Britain. If refugees were settled in one country, it would be the 24th largest country in the world.
The refugee crisis is a global rather than just an EU issue, the President said, and the entire international community must contribute to solving it. All countries must help people fleeing persecution and threats to their lives – a commitment stated in the 1951 UN Geneva Convention.
The President also underlined that the international community had to contribute more to developing and ensuring democracy in countries affected by military conflicts. It must not forget Ukraine, facing continuous threats to its peaceful and safe development. UN support is necessary to all those calling for freedom and self-determination.
At the invitation of the UN Secretary-General, the President of Lithuania together with the presidents of Chile, Liberia and South Korea as well as with UN goodwill ambassadors joined the promotion of the sustainable development agenda. In a promotional clip, Dalia Grybauskaitė introduces one of the priorities – sustainable growth. UN goodwill ambassadors – Nobel Prize winner Malala, actors Daniel Craig and Charlize Theron, musician Stevie Wonder, and scientist Stephen Hawking – also appear in this clip.
