Resources
Indeed, if the whole world were to embrace the vision of the late Reverend Moon and Mrs. Moon, promoting reconciliation, coexistence and cooperation, the world certainly would be a better and a more peaceful world. And I do congratulate you, Dr. Moon and members of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee, for inaugurating an initiative of immense international significance.
I feel it an honor and privilege to be selected for the first Sunhak Peace Prize. I am glad that the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee recognizes the importance of food security, environmental integrity and overall socioeconomic development as essential prerequisites for a peaceful society.
Let me humbly and briefly mention my efforts in the last five decades, looking at how fish farming or aquaculture—through making science relevant to the needs of the farming community in developing countries, including war-torn countries, such as Laos, and least developed countries, such as Bangladesh—can bring changes to the lives and livelihoods of the rural poor by providing adequate food and nutrition security.
His Holiness Pope Francis, US President Barack Obama among other world leaders, have joined the ever-increasing voices advocating against climate change. Yes, there is acknowledgement, and yes, there is commitment at the global level to address this issue. What is now required is action—action that will guarantee that the future of our global community and our planet Earth will be secured; action that guarantees that no one will be left behind and, most importantly, urgent action to address the security and existential challenges from climate change for the most vulnerable peoples in frontline states.
First of all, I would like to congratulate Dr. Gupta for winning history's first and very significant Sunhak Peace Prize (Korean Nobel Peace Prize). As I have the task to comment on Dr. Gupta’s paper, I will focus on that. I am feeling especially proud of him since I come from Nepal, one of India’s closest neighbors—both geographically, historically and culturally. As the whole world celebrates Dr. Gupta’s accomplishments, we in South Asia are also honored.
This World Summit has arrived at an important time as not only the Middle East needs an urgent peace initiative, but also Africa. Tensions in Gaza, Palestine, Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Yemen have spread to Somalia and Sudan. The Summit is also timely because the UN General Assembly is set to [adopt] the [post-2015 development agenda at its forthcoming meeting in September], will appoint a new secretary-general of the UN, and is discussing reforming the Security Council.
A primary focus of the Sunhak Peace prize deals with the role of the ocean and its importance for the future of humanity. According to the organization’s literature,“The ocean is essential to the future peace of humanity.” Coming from an island nation myself, I would wholeheartedly agree with this statement.
Women around the world share common perspectives that emanate from their experiences as women. Women share sensitivity to injustices and sufferings stemming from the history of injustice toward them as women. I dare say that we naturally are more likely to favor peaceful solutions and peaceful actions.
It was said at this very summit last year: “Peace would not be found amongst countries until peace was found between their religions.” This resonated the great words of the late Rev. Moon: “If we have not achieved peace, it is because people forget its most fundamental aspect. Before we talk about peace among nations, we must settle our peace with God.”
I would like to invite all of us to strengthen religious accord to enable us to create a peaceful global community. We, as part of humanity, must ensure that people of different religions living together [becomes] an ordinary occurrence. When [this happens], we know we have succeeded in halting the dangerous advance of religious extremism that has done so much damage to all aspects of human life in all corners of the world.
On this World Summit, in our search for peace among nations, we continue to celebrate the teachings of one of the great leaders of our time, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who has, in his lifetime and beyond, gained prominence for his [vision for] achieving global peace, [which is] based on the true love of God.
However, in order to keep, maintain peace, there is a much stronger power than defense; it is diplomatic power. This power comes from close human relations, as is clearly seen in this meeting of the Universal Peace Federation. We could [consider] this sort of human relations peace power.