RC Trebucq’s Remarks at the 2023 Grenada UN Day Flag Raising Ceremony

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

• The Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, Petite Martinique and Carriacou
• Hon. Joseph Andall, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Export Development
• Other Ministers of Government
• Permanent Secretaries
• Colleagues
• Students
• The Media
• Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning, and happy UN Day!

 

Today, we are not merely here to commemorate the signing of the United Nations Charter back in 1945, but to celebrate the values it represents: peace and security, human rights and tolerance, solidarity, and development for all.  

The world has changed dramatically since the UN was founded, and the UN has changed with it, but the Charter's values remain as important today as ever.

78 years beyond the aftermath of the Second World War, the UN has made significant progress in advancing peace, development, and human rights around the globe. 

In an increasingly complex, volatile world, where crises, wars, existential issues like climate change are confronting us, the UN and multilateralism remain the only hope for finding shared global solutions to these challenges.

Ladies and gentlemen, Today’s Flag raising Ceremony is important, as it symbolizes our mutual commitment to multilateralism.



I also wish to congratulate the Government of Grenada as this year marks 49 years of this country’s membership of the UN. (Effective 1974). 

As we inch closer to ushering in 2024, the year of Grenada's Golden Jubilee anniversary as a country and as a member of the United Nations, today we take the opportunity to reflect on the remarkable strides this nation has made in strengthening its resilience and commitment to the principles and ideals of the UN through inclusion and leaving no one behind. 

Not only are the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique always represented, and their voices brought to the fore, but there are consistent efforts to involve children and youth in active decision-making. In today’s ceremony I was told that quite a few young people were to join as I understand that as part of the UN Day activities there has been a competition among schools, on the Sustainable Development Goals. Actions such as these will help to embed that drive to act for a sustainable future. 

I have also noticed, Prime Minister, that an emphasis has been placed on the Orange Economy with the Creative Industries Symposium being held in May 2023 where I participated, as well as Digitalization for boosting the transition to a digital economy and efficient public services. The UN welcomes both these initiatives which undoubtedly will open doors to improve livelihoods and competitiveness. 

We are happy to see that Grenada has also joined the Secretary General’s Act Now Campaign which urges individuals, communities, the private sector, and governments to act now to achieve the SDGs. I commend that some private sector companies in Grenada have already joined the collaborative efforts of the UN and Government in initiatives that lend tremendous impact to engaging all of society in efforts to mainstream the SDGs in the Grenadian landscape. I believe this is the inspiration needed for others to follow.

With less than seven (7) years left to achieve the SDGs, there is still a dire need for the global goals to be accelerated at national level. To achieve this, we must start by asking ourselves some key questions, such as: 

•    Who are the vulnerable and marginalized requiring the most support to be empowered? 

•    What partnerships do we still need to leverage in order to achieve the SDGs and a better future for all?

So, as we stand together on this United Nations Day, let’s recommit our dedication to the mission of creating a peaceful, just, secure, and sustainable future for all.

I therefore give you my assurance of the UN’s continued support to Government and people of Grenada. And to ensure that our cooperation is strategically tailored to support national needs and priorities for a more resilient future.

Thank you.