75 years ago the United Nations was formed hoping to save future generations from war. Today it has grown into the only forum in the world where 193 countries can discuss issues affecting the global population, find areas of agreement and solve problems together.
The UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development aims to uplift the lives of the global population and within the UN, the World Health Organization (WHO) works towards better health for all.
Through global cooperation, countries with the support of the UN and its agencies have eradicated smallpox, developed better management of HIV, eradication of poliovirus in the African region and 90% eradication of polio across the world.
Now the world is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic threat. The pandemic is impacting economies, livelihoods and health. The world over people’s right to health is threatened. Global collaboration and cooperation have never been more important.
COVID-19 offers us an opportunity to build back a better society for the future,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, as per WHO Europe website.
To achieve this, we already have necessity and innovation. Now we need courage and collaboration. I count on you, and you can count on the World Health Organization.”
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe
Movendi International previously reported on the UN75 initiative interim report released in commemoration of the 75th UN anniversary. The UN75 initiative called “The Future We Want, The UN We Need” is a global consultation marking the 75th anniversary of the UN. Since January 2020, over one million respondents participated in this consultation, covering all UN Member States and Observer States.
The top 3 findings of the report are:
- Amidst the current crisis, the immediate priority of most respondents everywhere is improved access to basic services: health care, safe water and sanitation, and education.
- The next main priority is greater international solidarity and increased support to the places hardest hit by the pandemic. This includes tackling poverty and inequalities, and boosting employment.
- While health is the most pressing issue now, respondents were hopeful about this area improving. They also believe access to education and women’s rights will improve.
Movendi International and partners world over believe that there is a significant contribution that alcohol policy can make towards addressing the above unified concerns of people revealed in the UN survey.
As Movendi International analysis shows, alcohol harm is an obstacle to 14 of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). As such preventing and reducing alcohol harm (itself included in the SDGs) will help to improve access to basic services including, health care, safe water and sanitation, and education. Tackling the alcohol burden also catalyzes progress in other areas of concern, such as poverty reduction, addressing inequality, unemployment, climate action and human rights.
This potential in alcohol policy for the SDGs is especially important in the recovery from COVID-19 and efforts to build back better. Movendi International has reported how several countries have used alcohol policy solutions effectively to reduce the COVID-19 burden.
Considering the severe impediment that alcohol harm poses to the SDGs, and its links to the concerns brought up by people around the world in the interim UN75 report, it is important that the UN makes alcohol policy the priority it should be – as element of the Build Back Better effort.
Movendi International celebrates UN75
The Charter of the United Nations was signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on 24 October 1945.
Movendi International’s statement on the occasion of the the United Nations 75th birthday:
We wish HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the United Nations and all the best for the future.
Movendi International is committed to help make the UN a body of the people and for the people. We are dedicated to the founding idea of the United Nations.”
WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED
to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
AND FOR THESE ENDS
to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and
to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and
to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and
to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.
