Font size:

Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN Andrei Dapkiunas participated in a high-level thematic debate of the UN General Assembly

24 April 2015

On April 21, 2015 Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the United Nations Andrei Dapkiunas took part in a high-level thematic debate of the UN General Assembly on promoting of tolerance and countering violent extremism.

In his statement Andrei Dapkiunas noted that it is important to consider violent extremism not only at local or regional levels, but also globally: in the context of its causes, nature and consequences.

The international community cannot solve the problem of violent extremism without conscious efforts to change the rules of international intergovernmental collaboration.

Representative of Belarus underlined that victory over fascism in the Second World War and the creation of the United Nations drew a thick red warning line but did not fundamentally change the rules of global politics, which have remained so-called “zero-sum game”. It means that one partner wins and the other loses. Unfortunately, such  situation continues to be a source of hatred, despair and distrust in today’s international relations.

Andrei Dapkiunas called upon the  UN member states to learn to perceive and treat each other as equals, regardless of income ranking, military might or natural wealth. Just in such way people could learn to live together and make the world safe for diversity, even if this diversity sometimes looks unusual or incomprehensible.

The Belarusian diplomat proposed to member states to try to use the UN Summit to be held in September 2015 not only as a traditional platform for official statements and ceremonial events, but primarily as a place for informal personal contacts of the world leaders whose engagement in dialogue and mutual understanding critically influence the welfare and security of the peoples of the planet.

print version

Video

Archive

Official Internet Resources