75th Anniversary of the UDHR and the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent Dialogue at the 52nd Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting

Excellencies, Ladies, Gentlemen, 

As part of the Pacific Partnerships for Prosperity Pavilion of the 52nd Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, I am delighted to welcome you all here today to this dialogue to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As we celebrate this anniversary of the Universal Declaration, let us recognize what an invaluable star map it has been for our collective journey towards a world defined by equality, freedom, peace, and justice.

Born out of the devastation of the Second World War depicting a grim landscape of loss, misery and devastation, the Declaration as adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948 is a constant and powerful reminder that human rights belong to everyone and everywhere —including all of the peoples and nations of the Blue Pacific Continent.

From every region of the world, countries came together to create a declaration that would end the churning cycles of horror and destruction and poverty which they had endured. To paraphrase the words of a Palauan woman to an American soldier: “The next time you choose to have a war, can you have it someplace other than my home?” Our collective goal is bolder: to step away from war and conflict altogether.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights set out steps that would lead away from the scourge of war. Steps that would enable reconciliation of disputes, and societies that would be more fair, more equal, and therefore more resilient to confrontations and shocks. At the centre of this construction of a more peaceful, more just world, was human equality; human dignity; and human rights.

Today, once again, we face towering challenges that compound each other, potentially creating disastrous outcomes for all humanity.

At a time of rapid change and disruption – as we face a triple planetary crisis, deepening inequality, conflict and instability, and social polarization – this anniversary presents a historic opportunity to recommit to the spirit of the Declaration. And to take action to realise its vision across the Blue Pacific Continent.

Solutions to the world’s current challenges must be consistent with each other. Measures to advance sustainable development must also mitigate climate change and address systemic discrimination.

Also, solutions need to engage our deepest reflexes: solidarity and empathy with other people. Today the people with the least are being hurt the most. In terms of Climate Change, for example, it needs to be clear that the countries and businesses that have generated climate change must contribute to righting those wrongs. We see this here, in the Blue Pacific Continent, where people practice solidarity and empathy as culture, but also face the most acute impacts of Climate Change and poverty.

We need guidance that stems from values rooted in every culture of humanity. We need core goals – human equality, human dignity, human rights – that span every domain of policy and challenge.

We need the Universal Declaration of Human Rights!

This 75th anniversary of the Declaration invites us to bring renewed energy and creativity to deliver on the promise made all those years ago of a world free from fear and want. To do this we must explore new pathways for advancing all human rights – civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and the right to development.

Humankind has pushed the frontiers in medicine, technology and labour laws, and more. Progress is a process, and we have much to build on. The Declaration reflects an agreement that equality, freedom, and justice are values that drive a thriving society when everyone could experience equal access to opportunities in these domains and any others of their choosing.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most translated document the world has ever seen. If we could measure the number of people who have read and been inspired by it over the past 75 years, its relevance to them – to their lives and minds – would be made very clear.

The Universal Declaration is a life guide encompassing 30 articles that address rights and benefits, which have been realized by many yet outside the reach of others.

A map that made clear, for themselves and for future generations, the path away from war.

The path towards reconciliation of disputes and the building of societies that would be fairer, more equal, and, so, more resilient.

A map carefully crafted around the simple but profound truth – of our common humanity and our equal worth.

Articulating the rights inherent in each and every one of us.

The right to live free from any form of discrimination, arbitrary detention, and torture. The rights to education and to adequate food; healthcare; housing; social protections, and fair conditions of work.

Freedom of expression and opinion. Freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Freedom of religion or belief. The right to asylum and the right to a nationality. And more.

Since its adoption the Universal Declaration has played a unique role in so much of the progress we have seen.

The dismantling of many structures that entrenched racial and gender discrimination; huge strides in health and education; and the growing expectation on governments to listen, inform, be responsive and involve individuals in decision-making.

There has been significant progress in recent years on engagement on human rights and enhancing national human rights structures in the Pacific.

There is as yet not much progress with increasing numbers of independent National Human Rights Institutions in accordance with the Paris Principles.

Establishing and strengthening Paris Principles-compliant National Human Rights Institutions in the Pacific, to support the implementation of the commitments made by the Pacific Islands Forum’s members in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, remains a priority for the United Nations in the Pacific in cooperation with its partners, the Pacific Community, Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, and existing and prospective NHRIs in the region.

The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific adopted by PIF Leaders in 2022 serves as a guiding principle and an opportunity to reaffirm the connections of Pacific People with their cultural and human rights values. The 2050 Strategy focuses on people-centred development, including the need the address issues of exclusion, inequality, including gender inequality, marginalized groups, and the importance of protecting human rights.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

One of the key objectives of the UN’s Human Rights 75 Initiative is to generate pledges that bring about concrete change towards greater enjoyment of human rights for all. I encourage Pacific Island Countries’ governments, along with businesses and civil society groups, and other individuals and groups, to join our collective effort by making significant, catalytic pledges on specific human rights action to help bring about the transformative changes we so urgently need.

I encourage Pacific Islands Countries to empower women, children and young people to participate meaningfully in nationwide decision-making that will shape their future, and recognise the strides taken by Pacific countries in spearheading this good work.

Let’s reaffirm our commitment to human rights and a better, more sustainable world. A world where no one is left behind. If there was ever a moment to rekindle the hope of human rights for every person, it is now.

Human rights are the connecting thread that runs through every area of the UN’s work and the full spectrum of national governance.

Let us together renew our commitment to solving challenges through human rights.

Through recapturing the spirit that led to the Declaration’s adoption, and projecting this confidently in the future.

As ever, the United Nations in the Pacific stands ready to support you all as we navigate this journey.

I thank you for your attention.