A universal cry for international peace and security

By Delia Chatoor

On July 20, 2023, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, presented to the international community his Policy Brief on A New Agenda for Peace (NAP). The agenda, based on the tenets of International Law, seeks to outline his vision for multilateral peace and security “for a world in transition”.

The NAP, therefore, was designed to study present-day threats to international peace and security which include the climate crisis, evolving conflict situations, the concerns touching on the possible weaponisation of new technologies, rising inequalities, and decrease in the awareness of human rights.

Since the introduction of the Secretary-General’s vision, consultations have been held with United Nations (UN) Member States and relevant stakeholders a proposal to convene ‘The Summit of the Future: Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow,’ to be held at UN Headquarters September 22–23, 2024.

Delegations have been requested “to move beyond the current logic of competition and find avenues for co-operation and collective action to pursue shared interests.”

One of the main themes would be to develop innovative solutions to enhance multilateralism for peace and security. In this regard, ‘The Pact for the Future’ which is anticipated to be the outcome document from the Summit, will seek to address “the root causes, drivers and enablers of violence”.

There is also the proposal for all to strive towards “a world that is measurably closer to being free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.”

This approach is intended to, inter alia, prevent conflict and violence, address the causes of violence and insecurity, examine the diversion of billions of dollars to weapons’ enhancement and new weapons, and review systems to rebuild societies following the conclusion of conflicts.

There is no doubt that at the core of the New Agenda for Peace should be the concerns for the human family, and, in particular the ratcheting up of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The actions of the UN can, therefore, play a key role in the preparations for Pope Francis’ theme for 2025 World Day of Peace: Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace.

In its statement, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development noted that attention must be paid to the “reality of conflicts and social sins afflicting humanity today.”

The theme, therefore, will also draw on the Church’s “biblical and ecclesial understanding of the Jubilee Year”. As described in the Book of Leviticus 25:8–55 and reflected in the theme for Jubilee 2025, Pilgrims of Hope, the Jubilee will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis.

There is, therefore, a confluence of the challenges articulated in the proposed Pact of the Future to be addressed by the UN and the Church’s approach to a call for “a much needed spiritual, social, economic, ecological, and cultural change.”

The linkages are readily recognised so this calls for greater collaboration and co-operation based on “trust, solidarity, and universality”.

No one country or organisation can tackle these intractable concerns. As brothers and sisters, we are called to be like the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25–37) who responded to a stranger in need. The call must go out for a deeper understanding of the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter, the use of the peaceful settlement of disputes and the promotion of the rule of law.

Pope Francis has repeatedly stressed the relevance of forgiveness and the alteration of our behaviour to one of understanding, compassion, and conversion. Revenge has no place among civilised humanity.

Our yardstick should be the message of Christ Jesus as enunciated through the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11–32) wherein there would always be room to seek forgiveness, be humble, and embrace the tenets of love for one another.

Delia Chatoor is a retired foreign service officer and a Lay Minister of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando Parish.