Agro Perspectiva

UN honours Nelson Mandela as champion of peace, reconciliation

09.12.2013 08:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Within last week the United Nations family mourned the loss - and celebrated the enduring legacy - of Nelson Mandela, the former South African leader and peace advocate who passed away Dec 5 at the age of 95, UN Website reports. As the UN flag was lowered to half-staff over the world body’s Headquarters in New York, the 193-member General Assembly held a moment of silence to honour the memory of the man affectionately known as «Madiba,» who emerged from 27 years of imprisonment to become South Africa’s first black President and is known worldwide for his compassionate yet determined efforts to dismantle the country’s legacy of apartheid. «Today, in this Assembly of Nations, we mourn the loss of Mr. Nelson Mandela, one of our world’s greatest leaders,» said Assembly President John Ashe, who added that the example of Mr. Mandela’s life and actions, «demonstrates the difference one person can make in the face of adversity, oppression and prejudice, while maintaining a disposition of humility, humour and modesty that is so rare amongst people of his stature.» In his remarks, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson hailed Mr. Mandela’s courage, farsightedness, political skills, and kindness, saying that: «In a world too often riven and divided by vicious cycles of violence and revenge, perhaps the most impressive of President Mandela’s gifts was his power of forgiveness, his ability to overcome bitterness and hatred.» Mr. Mandela’s ground-breaking legacy and inspirational spirit was also hailed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who spoke to the press soon after the South African leader’s passing was announced. Calling him a «giant for justice,» the UN chief said Mr. Mandela «showed what is possible for our world and within each one of us - if we believe, dream and work together for justice and humanity.» Recalling his memories of meeting Mr. Mandela, the Secretary-General said he had been deeply touched and inspired. «When I praised him for his lifelong contribution to end apartheid he said ’It is not only me, but hundreds and hundreds of known and unknown people that contributed.’ That has stuck with me ever since,» Mr. Ban stressed. Hailing Mr. Mandela as «a giant among men,» Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said the South African leader had taught the world an enduring lesson about the power of peace and reconciliation, the importance of forgiveness and respect for the dignity of all people. «the Greatest tribute we can pay him is to carry on his message of hope and to continue the fierce defence of the value she stood for,» she said. Mr. Mandela’s life and legacy were honoured by a host of other United Nations officials, including António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Anthony Lake, Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Jose Graziano Da Silva, Director General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Guy Ryder, Director-General of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO),Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Executive Director of UN Women, and Hamadoun Toure, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The staff of the UN World Food Programme also honoured the South African leader.