Today, for the 1st time in 363 days, we have finally come together as a UN Security Council to pass a humanitarian resolution on Syria.
Welcome move? Yes.
Should #Aleppo have waited so long? Absolutely not.
“In the end, it comes down to values. We want the world our children inherit to be defined by the values enshrined in the UN Charter: peace, justice, respect, human rights, tolerance and solidarity. All major religions embrace them, and we strive to reflect them in our daily lives.
The threats to these values are most often based on fear. Our duty to the peoples we serve is to work together to move from fear of each other, to trust in each other. Trust in the values that bind us, and trust in the institutions that serve and protect us”.
– Incoming United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, after taking the oath of office on Monday.
A Council “held to ransom”.
The British Ambassador to the UN had some strong words for Council Members after the United Nations Security Council failed again to deliver a ceasefire & hope to the people of #Aleppo.I really believe in the power and importance of role models. When I see someone do a tough job in a way I can relate to, that makes me believe I can do that job. I’ve been inspired by others to reach at least two roles already that I never dreamed I’d be able to do when I first joined the UK Foreign Office - including this one!
Catherine Carr, First Secretary
Catherine works on Colombia and Libya in the UN Security Council
“Be conscious that you’re not just an individual, that you need to bring people with you. The consequences of your actions are not just for you. You can see it has wider impact on your gender, your race, the people around you. You succeeding alone is not a success. You need to bring everyone forward.”
Grace Pringle, Policy AdviserGrace works on improving the @united-nations and international community’s response to violations of human rights, particularly against women and children. Grace works on conflicts in Africa in the UN Security Council, as well as @unpeacekeepers efforts.
“I’ve never taken my gender into consideration when deciding what I want to do with my life. My mother brought me up telling me I could do whatever I wanted. I never saw gender as a barrier. I just have become increasingly aware that there is a decreasing amount of women in the room, as I have become more senior in my work.”
Rosie Grieves, Counsellor at the UK Mission to the UN.
Rosie leads on UK efforts for UN reform and finance management.
Clean technology can be profitable! Goodwill Ambassador & Solar Impulse pilot and pioneer Bertrand Piccard, who is also a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador, explains how at #COP22.
Learn more about COP22 in Marrakesh here: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cop22/
Photos: Karin Orantes / Social Media Team
“Do you think it is important to have the UK Foreign Office ’#WeekOfWomen?’”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Inequality has not been solved. Yes, it is better - but we have a long way to go. If we stop talking about this, it will be the final point of progress. This is clearly not the final point.”
Nerys Cross Smith, Second Secretary at the UK Mission to the United Nations.
Nerys works on South Sudan & Burundi, helping to support a secure, stable environment free from fear.
“States make international law. If they abide by the rules, the world becomes a better place. That’s why respect for international law is so important.”
Meet Helen Mulvein, senior lawyer at the UK Mission to the UN.
The Foreign Office is celebrating our annual #WeekOfWomen. At the UK Mission, we are lucky to have many woman leaders bringing their expertise to foreign policy. Helen’s work advances human rights protection, international norms & values, and an end to impunity.
Watch this space to meet more leader spotlights throughout the week!
That moment when the @united-nations Security Council makes it choice for the next Secretary-General…
Congratulations to António Guterres. Next step: the UN General Assembly.