United Nations Day, a global day of hope, marked by the Government and UN Agencies in Romania
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Bucharest, 1 November 2023. The Prime Minister of Romania and United Nations agencies active in Romania, gathered in Bucharest to mark the 78th anniversary of ratification of the United Nations Charter and reaffirm their determination to work together for sustainable development and human rights in Romania.
"Over the years, the UN agencies present in Romania have been a constant partner for central and local authorities by bringing best practices and international expertise from around the world to our country, contributing to Romania's sustainable development, promoting human rights and structural reforms in support of vulnerable groups, as well as sharing Romania's best practices at regional and global level. In the context of new challenges, political leaders must honour the vision of the United Nations Charter, working together with partners to end conflict, protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, eradicate poverty, but also to achieve the transition to a green economy and the Sustainable Development Goals," declared Mr. Marcel Ciolacu, Prime Minister of Romania.
In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco to draw up the UN Charter. The United Nations officially came into being on 24 October 1945, when the Charter was ratified by a majority of signatories. Ever since the 24 October each year has been marked by UN Day. Watch here for historical footage from the 1945 San Francisco Conference.
The event on 1 November 2023 was attended by the Prime Minister of Romania, Mr. Marcel Ciolacu, members of the Government and Parliament, representatives of UN agencies in Romania: the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), representatives of central and local authorities, the diplomatic corps, companies and civil society.
"In Romania, IOM has been working for over 30 years, helping thousands of people by managing migration, supporting voluntary return and reintegration of migrants, combating human trafficking and much more. Looking ahead, we will need to do more to recognize the value, impact and importance of migration. Romania is one of the European countries with the highest number of migrant workers among its own citizens, so this topic is of major importance for Romania. Working together with the Government and the private sector, we will continue to highlight the immense value migration brings to Romania and the fact that the economy itself needs migrants to thrive," declared Mr. Mircea Mocanu, Head of IOM Romania.
"UN Day is a special day. It means unity, hope and determination for the future of humanity, the children. UNICEF remains a long-term partner of the Romanian Government, with whom we have been working for over three decades, since the establishment of the UNICEF country office in 1991. We are committed to support achieve the 20 targets in the recently adopted National Strategy for the Protection and Promotion of Children's Rights for 2023-2027, including reducing the number of children affected by poverty and social exclusion by 400,000 and increasing by 30% the number of children benefiting from services to prevent family separation, and leave no children behind,” declared Ms. Anna Riatti, UNICEF Representative in Romania.
"On United Nations Day, we reflect on the principles that bind us as a global community and renew our commitment to upholding human rights, dignity, and the pursuit of peace. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to the protection of refugees. Following an impressive mobilization and welcome by Romania and the Romanian people of refugees from Ukraine, together with our partners we continue to support and complement the Government efforts towards their self-reliance and inclusion, while seeking a positive and tangible impact on the communities that host them,” declared Mr. Pablo Zapata, UNHCR Representative in Romania.
"The vision of the World Bank Group (WBG) is to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. In Romania, we work in tandem with our counterparts - public and private sector, NGOs, academia, development partners - to make progress on the most complex cross-cutting developments issues, such as climate change. The urgency of climate action is reflected in this year’s theme for the UN Day and in the WBG’s Romania Country Climate and Development Report. The WBG will continue to support Romania in achieving inclusive, sustainable, green, and resilient growth,” declared Ms. Anna Akhalkatsi, World Bank Country Manager for Romania and Hungary.
"In 2023, WHO marks its 75th anniversary and our accomplishments of the past seven decades in promoting health and challenging health inequities under the theme, Health For All. Since the establishment of the WHO Country Office in Romania in 1991, WHO has been active in improving the health of the population. UN Day is the celebration, together with the rest of the UN family, of our partnership with the Government of Romania, the Ministry of Health, and all our stakeholders, making a renewed commitment to our shared vision for better health for all people of Romania," declared Dr. Caroline Clarinval, Representative, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Romania.
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About IOM
Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. IOM works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need.
IOM first established its operations in Romania in 1992 and provides a comprehensive response across the country to the needs of migrants, internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities through direct humanitarian assistance, information and counseling, integration and inclusion activities, counter trafficking, and a variety of other efforts. To learn more about our work in Romania visit our Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is present in Romania and in 190 other countries and territories to promote the survival and development of children from early childhood to adolescence. In Romania, UNICEF works together with key stakeholders such as the Government, the Parliament, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, national and international partners and the media to ensure access for all children to quality early education and to school, to protect adolescents and monitor children's rights, to social protection and to the mobilization of resources in the benefit of children. Follow UNICEF in Romania on Facebook and Instagram.
About UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. We deliver life-saving assistance, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place called home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted nationality. We work
in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions. For more information about UNHCR and its work, follow UNHCR Romania on Facebook and Twitter. For the latest data, please visit our Data Portal.
About World Bank Group
As the leading development financier for more than 75 years, the World Bank Group (WBG) has made major contributions to poverty reduction and economic development around the world. Present in Romania since 1991, the WBG is represented through the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the WBG focused on the private sector in emerging markets. The WBG supports Romania’s efforts to accelerate structural reforms and convergence with the EU, while addressing complex development issues detailed also in recently launched WBG analyses: 2023 Systematic Country Diagnostic, Country Climate and Development Report, and Country Private Sector and Development Report to be launched this December. Visit our channels to find out more about the World Bank and IFC.
About WHO
Founded in 1948, WHO works for the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all peoples. WHO works with 194 Member States, providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, and articulating evidence-based policy options. WHO supports global efforts to expand universal health coverage, coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies, and promote healthier lives.
Established in January 1991, WHO Country Office in Romania mobilizes and shares technical expertise on a wide variety of topics promoting the health and well-being for all. WHO has been engaging in strengthening primary health care and promoting fair access to essential health care services for all; including supporting nursing, mental health, immunization, and Sexual and Reproductive Health as well as the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
WHO is engaged in supporting the Romanian Government in its efforts to provide health care services for the refugees. The Country Office is also the technical implementing partner for the Ministry of Health in health systems strengthening related to the pillars of Quality of Care, Human Resources in Health, Health Services Management, and Data and Digital Health. For more information about WHO and our work, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
