UN SG statement to mark Forest Day 21 March

UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION CENTRE – DAR ES SALAAM

THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

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MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS

21 March 2013

Forests are vital for our well-being.  They cover nearly a third of the globe and provide an invaluable variety of social, economic and environmental benefits.  Three-fourths of freshwater comes from forested catchment areas.  Forests stabilize slopes and prevent landslides; they protect coastal communities against tsunami and storm.  More than 3 billion people use wood for fuel; some 2 billion people depend on forests for sustenance and income, and 750 million live within them. 

By proclaiming the International Day of Forests, the United Nations has created a new platform to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forest ecosystems to sustainable development. 

Forests are often at the frontlines of competing demands.  Urbanization and the consumption needs of growing populations are linked to deforestation for large-scale agriculture and the extraction of valuable timber, oil and minerals.  Often the roads that provide infrastructure for these enterprises ease access for other forest users who can further exacerbate the rate of forest and biodiversity loss. 

Forests are also central to combating climate change.  They store more carbon than is in the atmosphere.  Deforestation and land-use changes account for 17 per cent of human-generated carbon dioxide emissions.  As weather patterns alter due to climate change, many forested areas are increasingly vulnerable.  This underlines the urgency of a global, inclusive, legally binding climate change agreement that will address greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the protection and sustainable management of forests.

Notwithstanding these immense challenges, there are encouraging signs.  The global rate of deforestation has decreased by almost 20 per cent in the past decade.  We need now to intensify efforts to protect forests, including by incorporating them into the post-2015 development agenda and the sustainable development goals. 

On this first International Day of Forests, I urge governments, businesses and all sectors of society to commit to reducing deforestation, preventing forest degradation, reducing poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods for all forest-dependent peoples. 

THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY  21 March 2013

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. Yet discrimination against persons with Down syndrome and their families exists on many levels. This hurts not only individuals who are directly affected, but whole societies.

Persons with Down syndrome often face stigma and segregation, physical and psychological abuse, and lack of equal opportunities.  A vicious circle of exclusion can begin early in life as many children with Down syndrome are denied access to mainstream education – or any education at all.

In working life, stereotypes against persons with Down syndrome often mean they are denied vocational training opportunities and their right to work. In the political and public sphere, persons with Down syndrome and other persons with intellectual disabilities are often deprived of their right to vote and fully participate in the democratic process.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reaffirms that such persons, including those with Down syndrome, are entitled to human rights on an equal basis with others.  On 23 September, the General Assembly will convene a High-level Meeting on Disability and Development to ensure that the perspectives of persons with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome, are included in all future development plans.

Given the appropriate support and opportunity, all individuals living with Down syndrome can achieve their potential, realise their human rights on an equal basis with others and make an important contribution to society.  We must therefore intensify our efforts to create conditions of empowerment that allow meaningful participation of persons with Down syndrome. Working together, we can help build an equitable, just and inclusive world that celebrates diversity, is free of discrimination and provides equal opportunities for all.