The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, took the floor today during the General Debate on the global update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, in the framework of the 54th session of the Human Rights Council.
“As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are committed to reconfirm its principles of human dignity, equality and mutual respect, and to reaffirm the common language of human rights”, Ambassador Grassi stated.
The Permanent Representative of Italy then pointed out the multiple crises that humanity is facing today, including food insecurity exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. In this regard, he praised the robust response by the three Rome-based UN Agencies FAO, WFP and IFAD, and recalled that last July Rome hosted the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment, which will inform upcoming processes, such as the SDG Summit, COP28 and the Summit of the Future.
Ambassador Grassi confirmed Italy’s support to all efforts towards the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and to keep the issue of food security high in the international agenda, also in the framework of the Italian G7 Presidency in 2024.
Furthermore, he remembered that protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide, including freedom of religion or belief, is essential to ensure sustainable long-term peace and stability. “Italy is extremely concerned by the increasing violence and discrimination against persons belonging to ethnic or religious minorities in the world, in particular Christian communities”, he underlined by calling on UN Member States to foster protection of human rights of all persons in marginalized and vulnerable situations, and to uphold dialogue and cooperation.
Read the full statement here.
