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At the UN, Lula pays tribute to the victims of catastrophes and defends humanitarian causes
The President stated that Brazil will act vigorously to combat violence against women and defend LGBTQI+ people and people with disabilities. PR/Ricardo Stuckert
Solidarity towards the victims of recent catastrophes in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Morocco and Libya; the defense of gender equality and the rights of LGBTQI+ groups; the importance of press freedom; the fight against femicide; and sustainable development were some of the topics highlighted this Tuesday (19) by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the opening speech of the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations at the UN headquarters in New York.
» President Lula's full speech
» High resolution photographs (Flickr)
“I wish to express my condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Morocco and the storms that hit Libya. As in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in my country, these tragedies claim lives and cause irreparable losses. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families,” said Lula.
The Brazilian president also highlighted the memory of Brazilian diplomat Sérgio Vieira de Mello, who lost his life along with 21 other UN employees during an attack in Baghdad in August 2002. “I pay tribute to our compatriot Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 other employees of this Organization, victims of the brutal attack in Baghdad 20 years ago.”
In Brazil, we are committed to implementing the 17 sustainable development goals in an integrated and indivisible manner. We want to achieve racial equality in Brazilian society through an 18th goal that we will voluntarily adopt”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil
EQUALITY – Lula evoked the memory of another important Brazilian diplomat, educator, biologist and activist, Bertha Lutz, who died in 1976, when discussing the importance given by this government to gender equality in Brazil.
“Inspired by Bertha Lutz, a pioneer in defending gender equality in the UN Charter, we have approved a law that makes equal pay mandatory for women and men who carry out the same role,” observed the president.
Lula also stated that Brazil will act vigorously to combat violence against women and defend LGBTQI+ people and people with disabilities. “We will combat femicide and all forms of violence against women. We will be rigorous in defending the rights of LGBTQI+ groups and people with disabilities.”
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS – Lula also highlighted freedom of the press. The Brazilian leader expressed his solidarity towards journalist Julian Assange, founder of the WikiLeaks website, who is imprisoned in London since 2019.
“It is essential to preserve freedom of the press. A journalist such as Julian Assange cannot be punished for informing society in a transparent and legitimate way. Our fight is against disinformation and cybercrime. Apps and platforms should not abolish the labor laws that we have fought so hard for,” declared President Lula.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – President Lula also highlighted Brazil's commitment to sustainable development and the country's work towards racial equality.
In Brazil we are committed to implementing the 17 sustainable development goals in an integrated and indivisible manner. We want to achieve racial equality in Brazilian society through an 18th objective that we will voluntarily adopt”
The UN’s sustainable development goals are to end poverty; to end hunger and promote sustainable agriculture; to ensure health and well-being; to ensure quality education; to achieve gender equality; to ensure clean water and sanitation for all; to ensure access to clean and affordable energy; to promote decent work and economic growth; to promote industrialization, innovation and infrastructure; to reduce inequality; to foster sustainable cities and communities; to ensure responsible consumption and production; to take urgent action against climate change; to conserve and sustainably use ocean life; to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial life; to promote peace, justice and effective institutions; and to revitalize partnerships and means of implementation.
Lula also mentions two programs implemented in Brazil that work towards this challenge: Brasil sem Fome and Bolsa Família. “We launched Brasil sem Fome to bring together a series of initiatives to reduce poverty and food insecurity. Bolsa Família has become a global reference in income transfer programs for families that keep their children vaccinated and in school.”
BRAZIL IS BACK – The speech highlighted President Lula’s eighth participation in the UN General Assembly. Throughout his two previous terms, Lula participated in the event every year between 2003 and 2009 – and only in 2010 was represented by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs and current special advisor to the Presidency Celso Amorim. To Lula, this comeback is a portrait of the strength of democracy in Brazil.
“If I now return in the honorable capacity of president of Brazil, it is thanks to the victory of democracy in my country. Democracy has ensured that we overcome hate, misinformation and oppression. Our mission is to unite Brazil and rebuild a sovereign, fair, sustainable, supportive, generous and joyful country. Brazil is once again meeting itself, meeting the world and meeting multilateralism. As I never tire of saying, Brazil is back,” concluded the Brazilian president.