Holy See calls on international community to ensure UN sustainability agenda has ‘human face’

“The protection of our common home requires a growing global political consensus,” said  Parolin in his remarks to the General Assembly and added: “Now governments are obliged to honour the commitments they made, while businesses must also responsibly do their part. It is up to citizens to insist that this happen, and indeed to advocate for even more ambitious goals.”

Emphasizing to conflict is not only one of the biggest challenges to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),  Parolin, who is the Holy See’s Secretary of State, said that these also destroy human resources, means of production and cultural heritage.

He also drew attention to the fact that terrorism is also a major threat that degrades social coexistence in countries and undermines the whole international community and said that it also transcends national boundaries, underscoring that “Neighbours [of] Syria and Iraq have increasingly become victims of innumerable barbaric acts. Beyond the Middle East, atrocious acts of terrorism have instilled fear in the daily life of so many across the globe.”

Underlining that while the need and urgency of ceasefires, respecting the dignity and rights of affected people, and access to humanitarian aid are important, it is equally important to facilitate negotiation with those who have direct or indirect responsibility for particular conflicts.

Hailing the recent peace agreement in Colombia, he said the Holy See hopes that “through the facilitation of the international community, various forms of contact and dialogue will be pursued to resolve ongoing conflicts.”

Turning to the urgent issue of migrants and refugees around the world, he said that in addition to looking at solutions to resolve the causes of mass population movements, the international community must also note that migration and development are tightly linked.

In conclusion, he also informed the General Assembly that Pope Francis recently instituted a new Dicastery (department) of the Holy See to promote justice, peace, the safeguarding of the environment, and the care of those most in need.

“The poor and needy are the human face of the sustainable development that we wish to keep ever before us, so that we may become responsible agents of a more just and truly human society,” he said.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Source: www.justearthnews.com