Happy birthday United Nations!

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter.

And 24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.

So what?

Why would we want to take note of this anniversary here in Kosovo? Will it make life here any better? Will it create more of the jobs for Kosovo’s youth that are so badly needed? Will it bring an end to poverty and eliminate corruption? Will it reduce the number of unnecessary illnesses and deaths from the toxic mix of pollutants in the air, land and water? Will it bring about gender equality?

No. Not directly.

But… I do think it is worthwhile to take a minute to remember that Kosovo’s struggles are in fact universal ones. And that Kosovo is a critical partner to the United Nations in the global effort to end poverty, reduce inequalities, and roll back climate change and other environmental threats.  We can not do it without you.

Not only did thousands of Kosovars contribute to the design of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (http://www.globalgoals.org/), many of you work every day to achieve them, even if you do not always sense your direct connection to this world-wide movement. One of the ways you can connect is to participate in the My World Survey: https://myworld2030.org/partner/UNKTeam.

As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has stated:

“Our world faces many grave challenges.

Widening conflicts and inequality.

Extreme weather and deadly intolerance.

Security threats -including nuclear weapons.

We have the tools and wealth to overcome these challenges. All we need is the will.

The world’s problems transcend borders.

We have to transcend our differences to transform our future.

When we achieve human rights and human dignity for all people – they will build a peaceful, sustainable and just world.

On United Nations Day, let us, ‘We the Peoples’ make this vision a reality.”

Andrew Russell

UN Development Coordinator

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