UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed says that inclusive sustainable development is the only way to achieve durable peace in the world. Ms. Mohammed arrived in Sweden yesterday, where she gave the annual Dag Hammarskjöld Lecture.
In her lecture, titled, ‘Strength in our common humanity’ at Uppsala University, she reflected on the wisdom and action that define the late Hammarskjöld’s legacy and how we can use the lessons he taught us to act for sustainable, inclusive development today.
She said that still today, sixty-three years after his death, Dag Hammarskjöld remains a source of inspiration to the United Nations, to its leaders, aspiring diplomats, and the world.
A man who acted
“What I admire most about Dag Hammarskjöld is that he was a man who acted on his deep commitment. He did not sit on the sidelines; he did not deal only in abstractions,” Ms. Mohammed said.
“He redefined the function more as one of a General, less of a Secretary. Through his courage, he carved out greater operational autonomy for both his office and the United Nations, all in the pursuit of the Charter’s aims.”
A day before the anniversary of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine, Ms. Mohammed, said it had been a year of unspeakable suffering and devastation for the Ukrainian people.
“A year of grave violations of the UN charter and international law. A year of tragic setbacks around the globe due to the impact of the war in food and energy prices, economic stability and beyond,” Ms. Mohammed said.
“And the chances for further escalation and bloodshed are growing. Ukrainians need peace. Europe needs peace and the world needs peace.”
New approach to peace and security
Dag Hammarskjöld was a committed @UN Secretary-General, an inspiring leader, and voice for humanity. Today, we remember his legacy. pic.twitter.com/xTuLEGhrui
— Amina J Mohammed (@AminaJMohammed) February 23, 2023
The Deputy Secretary-General said it was necessary to transform our approach to peace and security for a new era of geopolitical and international relations, with risk of fracture and decupling in different blocks.”
She emphasized the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in this context and the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which she said is “a key example of this approach.”
“Peace, human rights and sustainable development go hand in hand. A lack of sustainable development ferments grievances, injustice and inequalities. Sustainable, inclusive development is the only way to achieve durable peace that is resilient in the shocks and crises of our times that brings our human family together. Sustainable development and respect for all human rights – economic, social, cultural, civil, and political – are the only reliable tools that can break through cycles of instability, address the underlying drivers of fragility and humanitarian need, and try in the best of ways to tackle the root causes of conflict.
Put simply: if we fail to meet the development needs of our time, we fail to secure peace for our future.”
Critical role of Sweden in multilateralism
The Deputy Secretary-General also had meetings at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. There she discussed the critical role of Sweden in multilateralism and the UN-Sweden partnership across all pillars with Johan Forssell, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade; Diana Janse, State Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade and other senior government officials. She also met the Speaker of the Riksdag, Andreas Norlén and members of the Swedish Parliament for an exchange on the impact of the partnership on the group.
In Uppsala, she paid tribute to former Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjöld, at his grave.
