United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted this Monday Portugal’s role in protecting the oceans and thanked outgoing Prime Minister António Costo for his “leadership” on the issue.
At the ceremony to hand over the Portuguese tapestry to the permanent UN exhibition in New York, Guterres quoted Portuguese writer Vergilio Ferreira and praised Portugal’s relationship with the sea and its conservation.
“The Portuguese writer Vergilio Ferreira once said: ‘You can see the sea from my tongue. Portugal has long championed global cooperation to protect the oceans, including by hosting the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon,” said the former Portuguese Prime Minister.
“I thank Prime Minister Antonio Costa for his leadership on this issue. In times of great challenge, the United Nations is pleased to count on your strong support for multilateralism and international solidarity,” he added.
António Costa met this Monday with António Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York as part of the donation by the Portuguese State of the tapestry by Vanessa Barragao, entitled “Coral Vivo,” to the international organization.
The tapestry, which “celebrates the importance and richness of coral reefs, the world’s most biodiverse ecosystem”, will be part of a permanent exhibition at the United Nations headquarters, and with this donation the government “intends to value the country’s participation, active role in organizing and her “leading role” in the oceans agenda, Antonio Costa’s office said.
Guterres thanked the “generous donation,” highlighting the traditional craft techniques and recycled materials used in the work, noting the vibrant and organic shapes of the ocean.
“Like the thin but resilient threads of this tapestry, all life on this planet is intertwined in a complex, interdependent web. Coral reefs are some of the most stunning, biodiverse and most vital habitats on our planet,” he said in a speech to dozens of people.
“Yet these natural wonders face serious threats. Climate change and record ocean temperatures are causing catastrophic coral bleaching and death,” he lamented.
Describing the impact of environmental destruction, the United Nations leader contrasted the “hope” conveyed by Vanessa Barragán’s tapestry, urging us to rethink humanity’s relationship with the oceans, adopt sustainable practices and preserve ecosystems.
In turn, António Costa focused his speech on the multiple meanings of the tapestry proposed by the UN today, including April 25, 1974, “the date of the founding of modern Portugal,” which guaranteed a change in the vision of Portugal at the United Nations.
“One of the most important changes brought about by the revolution is the way we find ourselves in this house: 50 years ago, Portugal was almost isolated in the United Nations, fighting against the tide of history. Let us remember that between 1961 and 1974, the Security Council and the General Assembly approved 57 resolutions against Portuguese colonialism,” he said.
“Today we are a peaceful and open country, a staunch defender of multilateralism. For 50 years, the United Nations system has been at the center of our foreign policy,” the minister assured, adding that “there could be no prouder circumstance than celebrating these 50 years with a Portuguese at the head of the UN.”
Addressing the UN secretary-general, the prime minister said Guterres “makes us immensely proud of his work, humanity, courage and integrity in the face of every challenge.”
“This gift is also a tribute that Portugal pays to the United Nations and its Secretary General,” Costa emphasized.
The outgoing Prime Minister also emphasized the connection between the sea and Portugal’s history, culture and identity.
At his meeting with Guterres, António Costa took the opportunity to “say goodbye” to the secretary general, whom he thanked for his “excellent cooperation over the past few years.”
“Portugal has been and will remain a country committed to multilateralism and to building a fairer, more prosperous and sustainable world,” António Costa assured in a message made on his Instagram account, which published photographs of a personal moment he shared with the UN leader before the ceremony.
The ceremony to hand over the Portuguese tapestry to the UN also included a musical performance by singer Fado Carminho.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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