Paving the way to the debate at the UN General Assembly, Nelson Mandela Peace Summit marked the centenary of the birth of South Africa’s first democratically-elected President and global civil rights icon. Member States are expected to adopt a historic Political Declaration declaring 2019-2028 the “Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace,” and calling on all world leaders to “redouble efforts to pursue international peace and security, development and human rights”.

“Mandela embodied the United Nations values. His ideal was a world in which all people live together in equality and harmony. He was global citizen whose legacy must continue to guide us” – said Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General.

“Meanwhile much has been done to ensure that the world would never go to war with itself again, the organisation faces more intricate challenges. Over the past seven decades, millions of people worldwide have been killed. Of these, women and children continue to bear a disproportionate burden of these troubles”, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.