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G. Alvarez: Address to Summit 2022, Session I
Written by Hon. German Blanco Alvarez, Senator, Colombia
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Address to Summit 2022 and Leadership Conference,
Seoul, Korea, August 11-15, 2022
Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen: It gives me great pleasure to be once again in Korea and to have the privilege of participating in this World Summit and International Leadership Conference, under the theme: “Toward Peace on the Korean Peninsula: Toward a World Culture of Peace.”
I thank UPF for the invitation; It is always an honor to represent my country, Colombia, and the Latin American continent in such an important event.
Today we live in a very different time, especially in the context of COVID-19, which has changed many of our paradigms. On the other hand, we feel, more than ever, that we must think of society collectively, that is, as an indivisible whole. That is, what affects one or another nation, equally affects all.
In this way, the affairs of the Koreas, Ukraine and Russia or any other part of the world can only be resolved with a global, multifaceted perspective that includes the well-being of and for all.
Therefore, we fully agree with UPF’s vision framed in interdependence, mutual prosperity and shared universal values, and the search for peace and development that involves everyone and the result of which also benefits everyone.
In the case of Korea, we cannot even imagine a problem that lasts more than 70 years and involves three generations, so we must seriously consider that it is time to solve this peacefully and definitively.
Some may think that the Koreas’ problems are a matter for the Koreas to solve. However, this sadly did not happen that way. As we all know, the Koreas remain divided to this day.
Without a doubt, I firmly believe that this type of meeting and world gathering is and will be a good sign that the collective can make a difference.
Among the 16 countries that sent their troops during the Korean War, Colombia was the only country in Latin America to do so. But, we must recognize that other countries of our continent will also cooperate in one way or another.
Today, remembering this, we must think about the reason and the end of all that effort. It was to end the suffering, the division and the hostility and end the war. But as we know, that objective with such good will was not achieved.
Without a doubt, this Summit is very timely, a meeting to raise the flag of a call for peace and an end to so much suffering among these peoples.
Thank you all for your contributions and efforts and continuing the call that was started 72 years ago.
We are gathered here, men and women leaders from around the world, to support and empower efforts towards peace, reunification and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula and throughout the world.
Thanks, once again, to UPF and the organizers, especially Dr. Moon, for providing this opportunity.
May God bless everyone! Thank you very much!
To go to the World Summit 2022 Schedule page, click here.