Act Now on UN Day and Everyday

Nov 03, 2023

By Marilyn Menezes Simon
The United Nations (UN) in Malaysia commemorated the United Nations Day 2023 on October 25 at Taman Tugu under the theme Act Now on UN Day and Everyday.

The theme aims to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and commit to a healthy planet, an inclusive economy, a just society and a world working together. The UN Resident Coordinator of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, Karima El Korri, talked about the SDGs in the region. She shared the UN’s mandate for Malaysia, to help the country in its vision of achieving a developed nation status via the 2030 Agenda. This agenda charts a development path that balances economic growth with social inclusion and environmental sustainability, based on solid institutional foundations, conditions for peaceful societies and the realisation of human rights.

The events for the day included a speech by Deputy Foreign Minister, Datuk Mohamad Alamin, on steps taken to promote Sustainable Tourism in Malaysia, a walk by all the participants along one of the trails at Taman Tugu, focussing on staying healthy, followed by a cultural performance and other events. There was also an exhibition sharing information on SDGs and activities around them. Representatives engaged in different UN initiatives and those who benefitted from it shared their experiences and examples.

The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Most Rev Julian Leow, and the Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry’s Ecclesiastical Assistant, Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap, were among the invitees at the UN Day event. To contribute to environmental sustainability, every participant received a plant to care for at home.