UN RC Statement at UN Day Tree Planting Event

Salamatsyzdarby! Kosh kelingizder!

Mr. Adylbek Kasymaliev, First Deputy of the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, dear Deputy Minister of Agriculture, excellencies, partners, youth, colleagues from UN family, and friends.

I am delighted to welcome you all today to commemorate the UN Day. We chose to mark this year’s 77th Anniversary of the entering into force of the Charter of the United Nations with the tree planting event together with our Kyrgyz and international partners and friends for several reasons:

• To underline the vital importance of climate action for future generations, for the future of the planet. Let me quote Secretary General Antonio Gueterres who said just yesterday when urging global leaders to bring back climate change to the center of the international debate: “If we are not able to reverse the present trend, we will be doomed.” Each of 2500 trees that we are here to plant today symbolizes our collective commitment to help to reverse the current trend!
• But this cannot be done alone, and this is the second reason why we chose to plant trees together: to commemorate the partnership between the United Nations and Kyrgyzstan, which over the last 30 years has grown and deepened on the basis of trust, shared responsibility and a strong commitment to the values of the UN Charter and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
• In this context, I also wish to congratulate our colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, who are here with us today on the Day of Diplomatic Service Staff, which is celebrated in coincidence with the UN Day in Kyrgyzstan since 1998 – a  testimony to Kyrgyzstan’s strong commitment to what the United Nations stand for peace, humanity, solidarity, multilateralism and global cooperation. 
• And this brings us to the third reason who we chose to plant trees together: to demonstrate solidarity and a deep sense of collective responsibility. Only when we come together and join forces, across borders and generations, across ethnic and religious backgrounds and beliefs, from East to West, South and North, will we be able to address the challenges the world is racing in 2022.

Unfortunately, from Covid-19 to climate disruptions, from rising inequalities to ideological divides, a large-scale war and other conflicts which are upending lives of civilians, we are in a world of turmoil.

Therefore, in his UN Day message, UN Secretary-General called on all of us to “bring to life the values and principles of the UN Charter.”

Please let me share a few thoughts as to how this could be achieved in Kyrgyzstan:

First, we need to focus our collective efforts on ending poverty, reducing inequalities, expanding solid protection including for voiceless children, make the health system resilient and efficient, make small and medium enterprises sustainable and robust to ignite growth; and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

In this context, it is crucial to create conditions for youth to fulfil their potential, including by a doubled focus on education, and have their voices heard in deciding on the course the country is taking.

Second, in the spirit of what I said earlier, we need to safeguard our planet, accelerate the shift to green economy and renewable energy, protect Kyrgyzstan’s melting glaciers and preserve the biodiversity and natural habitats of endangered species like the snow leopard.

In Kyrgyzstan, the scale and frequency of natural disasters associated with climate change has increased 1.5 times over the past 12 years, impacting people’s lives, the economy and the natural habitat. It is critical to approach climate change, considering its cascading impact on the lives of people, the economy, and biodiversity, and not let it aggravate existing inequalities, hitting hardest those who are poor and vulnerable, especially women in rural areas. We also need to find sustainable solutions to breaking the addiction to fossil fuels, kickstarting the transition to renewable energy, and protecting the vast pasture and farming lands from erosion, as Kyrgyzstan’s population continues to grow. Kyrgyzstan’s ambitious Mountain Agenda is without doubt.

Third, we need to balance the scales of opportunity and freedom for women and girls and ensure human rights for all. Kyrgyzstan has made advancements recently including through adopting its Gender equality strategy until 2030 and getting elected to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). We will continue to support the country in implementing its commitments by working with government, civil society and all partners.   

Fourth, we need a prospect for sustainable peace. It is the most basic foundation for development and progress. People need to have trust and confidence to be able to live in safety and with hope in the future. In this regard, it is critical that any outstanding issues are resolved by diplomatic means only.

Lastly, we need kindness, tolerance and compassion wherever we are and in whatever we do. Empathy with and sensitivity to the plights of people around us are key to build bridges and social cohesion, find solutions, and change lives.

As we mark UN Day, let me conclude by wishing for us to renew our trust in what we can achieve when we work together, in solidarity; and to reaffirm our faith in the ideals of the UN Charter to build peace, social cohesion, advance equality and human rights, and to resolve issues through dialogue.

Chon rahmat!

------

See the photos from the UN Day Tree Planting Event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAd7bw