Address to Peace Summit 2023
May 2-5, 2023
Good evening, Honorable Dr. Moon and all her family. Ladies and gentlemen of the Universal Peace Federation, dear attendees, good afternoon. Allow me to pay tribute to the highest authorities of the Republic of Mali: H.E. Colonel Asimiguita, President of the Head of State; and Hon. Colonel Maligdiao, president of the National Transitional Council. I give thanks to Allah, the Almighty, the Most Merciful, who has made it possible to allow us to be part of this international, universal Peace Summit in Seoul. I want to congratulate the organizers for the honor bestowed upon me by inviting me to this Summit. To all participants, I convey the cordial and warm greetings of the people of Mali and their government, and to all the delegations and representatives of civil society who made a trip to Seoul.
The theme on current challenges of the world order toward a culture of peace in Africa is important today as it raises the issues of putting an end by all conventional means to the armed conflicts on our continent, which count among its victims, children, women and refugees. Tolerance through respect and acceptance of the other is undermined, and the diversity of cultures is disregarded. The form of expression, as well as the ways of expressing our human quality, are badly experienced everywhere.
Certainly, the cultures of the peoples are different, but humanity is one community which shares the same values, the same past and a common destiny. We are members of one and the same great family of the human community and for this purpose, tolerance is a fight for peace that we must win at all costs. It demands new policies that respect diversity and pluralism in a multifaceted world.
We must work for this and effectively strengthen the dialogue between cultures and religions in the world. Tolerance is an act of humanity that we must cultivate and practice every day in our lives, thus making our diversity the only strength that transcends all the sectarian divisions that oppose and weaken us as a human community.
We need implementation of an awareness campaign, aimed at public opinion and young people in particular, on the importance of cultivating world peace, a constantly renewed aspiration. We have to call for peace to urge global citizens, government and world leaders to make peace their top priority. The International Day of Peace, declared by the United Nations and celebrated each year on September 21, embodies a common aspiration to end the unnecessary suffering caused by armed conflict.
Africa must build peace by building and equipping peaceful and resilient societies. Institutional capacity-building for sustainable development and the fight against poverty are actions to be supported and implemented to reduce inequalities. My country, Mali, has been confronted with terrorism for a decade despite the presence of international military forces, resulting in the absence of peace vital to any prospect of development.
However, this is a place to emphasize that terrorism is declining and losing ground thanks to the sustained and tireless actions of the highest authorities of the transition. Under the leadership of H.E. Colonel Asimi Goita, President of the Transition Head of State, the Malian armed and security forces are experiencing renewed success and the country is becoming stable thanks to ongoing efforts and policies that have given our compatriots unparalleled hope for peace and security.
The countries that finance terrorism must stop these actions against peace and instead reach out to us financially and help us to implement development programs for the benefit of vulnerable young people, who are often targets of terrorist organizations.
Thank you again, Mrs. Moon, for all you do for peace and security in the world. We encourage you and congratulate you. Mali would be happy to host you, depending on your schedule, for a visit.
Thank you.
To go to the Peace Summit 2023 Schedule page, click here.