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Mr. President,
The agenda item, “Culture of Peace” is reminiscent of the commitment made by our fellow brothers and sisters 64 years ago, under the Charter of the United Nations to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, to unite our strengths to maintain international peace and security, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. The General Assembly adopted the Declaration on a Culture of Peace on 13 September 1999 to reaffirm these objectives and to unfold a new era of hope and peaceful co-existence.
Mr. President,
The Declaration is a set of values, attitudes and behaviours. It is based on the principles of multilateral cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter, respect for life, ending of violence and promotion and practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation, and commitment to peaceful settlement of disputes.
Mr. President,
All religions and cultures share a common set of universal values. Peace, tolerance, equality, sharing and respect for humanity is the core message of all world religions. Religion and culture, therefore, must not be allowed to become a source of division as they are sometimes portrayed in the present day context. We must cherish the unity and indivisibility of human race and all mankind no matter to what religion or particular culture we belong to.
Throughout the history, greed and self-interest have resulted in inequities and tension among societies. This ultimately leads to conflict situations. Conflict can only be avoided by understanding, sharing, sacrifice and dialogue among parties concerned. We are aware that peace cannot be achieved without dialogue. The challenge we face every day is to replace fear with acceptance, harassment with tolerance, and hatred with respect. Cooperation – and not the clash of civilizations – must be the paradigm for our collective endeavours. Promotion of understanding, harmony and cooperation among religions and cultures are the indispensable avenues through which we can lift the veil of ignorance, misconception and prejudice that have become so tragically pervasive in recent times.
Mr. President,
In today’s world, the need for interfaith dialogue, cooperation and harmony cannot be overemphasized in the context of on-going political and security disputes. The multiple crises of finance, fuel and food have further aggravated the divide. To make our World a better place, we all share the responsibility to highlight and propagate our common values of Peace, tolerance, equality, sharing and respect for humanity.
Mr. President,
Pakistan fully recognizes the growing need for promoting religious and cultural harmony and the necessity for interfaith dialogue. We have taken several important initiatives to promote dialogue and understanding among various faiths and religions at national level and all major international forums including our joint resolution with the Philippines entitled “Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace” contained in document A/64/L.15.
I am confident that the draft resolution, like in the previous session, will be endorsed unanimously by the General Assembly. This in a way will be an affirmation by the members of the international community of its shared commitment to advance the goals of universal understanding, harmony and peace as well as security and prosperity among all nations and peoples, of all faiths and cultures.
I thank you .