MIL Video Engine

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Youth activist Severn Cullis-Suzuki’s speech at the 1992 Earth Summit resonates today as the world grapples with our climate challenge at #COP28.

Decades before Greta Thunberg, Licypriya Kangujam, or Jerome Foster II, 12-year-old Severn Cullis-Suzuki delivered an unprecedented speech at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

The “Earth Summit” had many achievements, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change — the precursor to the Paris Agreement – the Convention on Biodiversity and a set of ‘Rio Principles’ for sustainable development.

“You grown-ups say you love us, but I challenge you: please, make you actions reflect your words,” says Severn, the daughter of environmental activist David Suzuki.

“Here, you may be delegates of your governments, business people, organizers, reporters or politicians,” she says in her timeless appeal, as applicable to current international meetings as it was the 1992 gathering. “But really, you’re mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, and all of you are someone’s child.”

Severn Cullis-Suzuki’s full speech at the 1992 Earth Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGdS8ts63Ck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TmzWL6V94c

Source: United Nations (video statements)

“Events of these last years have made the world painfully aware that the Palestinian people and the recognition and implementation of their rights are the key to any solution in the Middle East,” says then-United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim at the founding commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Utilizing material from the UN Audiovisual Library, this production was created using historical footage from the era of the establishment of the International Day.

https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzrrDnnIZTk

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Soviet Premier Nikita Krushchev was rumoured to have banged his shoe on his delegation’s desk during a UN General Assembly meeting on 12 October 1960.

Utilizing material from the UN Audiovisual Library, this production explores the moment as captured by UN media coverage and asks: Is the legend fact or fiction? #unga

https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIXlKKIhFZQ

Source: United Nations (video statements)

In 1953, the United Nations elected Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit as the eighth President of the UN General Assembly, making her the first woman ever elected to the position.

A prominent Indian politician and nationalist, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was also the first Indian woman to hold a cabinet position in India before the country gained independence.

A leading diplomat in newly independent India, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit served as India’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1947–49), the United States and Mexico (1949–51), and Spain (1958–61), and as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (1955–61).

In 1979, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was appointed as India’s representative to the UN Commission on Human Rights. She was also an honorary fellow of Somerville College.

Drawing on material from the United Nations Audiovisual Library, this feature offers a glimpse into the moment Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit delivered her inaugural address after being elected President of the UN General Assembly.

Her message emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and preventing threats to peace, the vital role of women at the United Nations, and the urgent need for international cooperation in the face of global challenges.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH2lDM1XSS8

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The United Nations convened the First Session of the General Assembly on 10 January 1946 in London, England. Delegates representing 51 nations attended the session, wherein the scope and purpose of the United Nations was defined.

Utilizing material from the UN Audiovisual Library, this production offers a glimpse into the environment, proceedings, and addresses delivered at the First Session.

https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/

#unitednations #unga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ5oRj9-ycg

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn was a tireless advocate for children’s rights.

Soon after becoming a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1988, she went on a mission to Ethiopia, where years of drought and civil strife had caused terrible famine. After visiting UNICEF emergency operations, Audrey talked about the projects to media in the United States, Canada and Europe over several weeks, giving as many as 15 interviews a day.

In 1989, Audrey Hepburn gave this passionate speech as world leaders adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JSjKeiqgk0

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) rose from the ashes of the Second World War with the founding of the United Nations. Set up as its judicial arm, the ICJ has two roles: to settle legal disputes between States, and to give advisory opinions on legal questions.

The Court’s first-ever contentious case was brought by the United Kingdom against Albania over mine explosions that damaged British warships passing through the Corfu Channel in 1946.

In their speeches to the judges, officials from both countries voiced confidence in the Court. “It is our profound conviction that in that great task of peace, this tribunal will, in its appointed sphere, play a worthy and an ever-increasing part,” said Hartley Shawcross of the United Kingdom. Khareman Ylli of Albania stressed that “the equality of parties is an essential condition” at the Court.

Utilizing material from the UN Audiovisual Library, this production offers a unique view into pivotal moments of this historic event. https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHVn26l_CDU

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The United Nations General Assembly requests that delegates limit their addresses to 15 minutes. On 26 September 1960, Fidel Castro of Cuba remained on the rostrum for 269 minutes, making his address the longest timed speech in General Assembly history.

Delivered just one year after the Cuban Revolution that led to the overthrow of the U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista, Castro used his time on the rostrum to criticize U.S. imperialism and its interference in Latin American affairs and to accuse the United States of supporting authoritarian regimes in the region.

Utilizing material from the UN Audiovisual Library, this production offers a unique view into pivotal moments of this historic event.

https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYUw1CJTdsA

Source: United Nations (video statements)

In this episode, take a front seat to how it all began.

In the summer of 1945, leaders from 50 countries gathered in San Francisco to agree upon an international treaty to enshrine the equal rights of all people and maintain peace. This resulting treaty, the UN Charter, is the founding document of the United Nations, which pledged to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.

In over 70 years since its creation, the United Nations maintains international peace and security, protects human rights, delivers humanitarian aid, supports sustainable development and climate action, and upholds international law.

The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on 24 October 1945.

The United Nations can take action on a wide variety of issues due to its unique international character and the powers vested in its Charter, which is considered an international treaty. As such, the UN Charter is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it. The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PdRrRJmX8A

Source: United Nations (video statements)

On 17th September, 1948, Count Folke Bernadotte, a United Nations Mediator for Palestine, was murdered in Jerusalem by a Zionist militant organization.

Count Bernadotte’s presence in Palestine followed the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine and the subsequent unilateral Israeli Declaration of Independence. In this capacity, he succeeded in achieving an initial truce during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and laid the groundwork for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOne76Y-jmA