Minister Dačić at the opening of the Belgrade International Model United Nations BIMUN 2024
Esteemed participants,
Future leaders and decision-makers,
Dear friends,
It gives me great pleasure to address you on the occasion of the twenty-first holding of the Belgrade International Model United Nations - BIMUN, which has been successfully bringing closer the role and significance of the largest and most important international organization to young people for over two decades now. Taking into account the historical context that led to the establishment of the United Nations, as well as the current situation in the world, it is not surprising that we return time and time again to the original values and basic postulates enshrined in the UN Charter.
Young people, as future leaders and decision-makers, need to play an active role in shaping the present, and especially the future. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare young people to face future challenges. It is precisely BIMUN's activity that contributes to a better understanding of international relations and strongly encourages the exchange of views, while nurturing a culture of dialogue that is necessary for finding compromise solutions.
This year's event and its topic “Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow: the world, the future, youth“ emphasize the importance of active participation of young people in promoting the work of the United Nations. The youth population makes up a significant percentage of the population globally. Regardless of whether we come from societies where they are a minority, or from societies where they are the majority, the fact is that these are the generations on which the future of the world rests. Without you, young people, any discussion or plan about the future loses its meaning.
Esteemed participants,
The current geopolitical landscape is full of challenges that transcend national borders. We are witnessing increasingly present divisions that are deeply concerning for us. The war in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, terrorism, conflicts and crises in other parts of the world, as well as climate change and natural disasters - are just a reminder that we need to be truly committed to dialogue and cooperation. We should build bridges of cooperation on the foundations of what unites us, namely on the desire for a better tomorrow. Unfortunately, it often seems to me that notions such as togetherness and solidarity are fading away and that we live in a world dominated by individual interests.
It is well-known that I always point out that the Republic of Serbia attaches great importance to the United Nations and strongly advocates multilateralism. We believe that this is the only possible path to finding long-term sustainable solutions, through the equal participation of states, respect for diversity and the harmonization of interests of all stakeholders.
With its constructive approach, the Republic of Serbia is making strong efforts to contribute to the achievement of common goals, to help strengthen peace and stability and economic progress. We have been and remain consistently committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
However, it is crucial that the rules and principles we have all agreed upon long ago are universally respected, implemented and applied equally to all. That is why the United Nations remains the most important platform that brings us together, and the UN Charter and its principles are the main guidepost to a brighter and safer future.
On that path, your contribution is also of immense importance. Our responsibility is to provide you with support and create the conditions for you to adequately perceive the challenges we are facing globally. Likewise, we need to encourage you to contribute to ensuring that both global and national decisions are being made for the benefit of humanity. A safe environment, accessible and quality education, development of science, social and health support, but also creating opportunities for your potentials to be recognized and developed, as well as to be included in national and global policies - that is our task!
Therefore, the Republic of Serbia recognizes education as a pillar and driver of social development and progress, and investing in science is one of the main priorities of our Government. I proudly point out that we were the initiator of the resolution of the UN General Assembly “International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development 2024-2033“, which emphasizes the importance of all scientific fields in achieving the goals of sustainable development. As future academics, you too will have the opportunity to create activities within the framework of the Decade.
Furthermore, while recognizing the important role of young people and their contribution to issues of global importance, you are aware that the Republic of Serbia has traditionally supported and encouraged the participation of youth delegates in the work of the United Nations. Also, your contribution will be particularly significant as part of the ongoing preparations for the Summit of the Future, as a key event during the upcoming General Debate of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the organizers and wish all participants a successful “BIMUN 2024“. I am confident that this stimulating environment will be significant for you in order to develop skills that can be useful in your future endeavours. My key message to you is that you must talk to each other and cooperate even when you disagree, because that is the only possible path to a better common future.
I would like to end with the words of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjöld – “Everything will be all right - you know when? When people, just people, stop thinking of the United Nations as a weird Picasso abstraction and see it as a drawing they made themselves”.
Thank you for your attention.
