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PortugueseIsrael has much to be proud of as it joins the international community in marking United Nations Day, a day devoted to highlighting the UN’s work.
Israel is hallmarking several of its achievements at the United Nations over the course of the past year, which was a very successful one for the Jewish state.
United Nations (UN) Day celebrates the “Charter of the United Nations” which entered into force on October 24, 1945, and is devoted to “making known to the people of the world the aims and achievements of the United Nations and to gaining their support for its work.”
Israel’s relationship with the UN began in 1947 with the passing of UN Resolution 181, which led to the creation of the Jewish State. Since becoming an official member-state of the UN in 1949, Israel has played an active role in numerous UN institutions, using its expertise in innovation, agriculture, and medicine to address significant global challenges affecting millions.
Following are a few of Israel’s success in 2016-2017:
Israeli Resolution on Entrepreneurship and Development
In November 2016, an Israeli resolution on entrepreneurship and development was passed.
Israel continues to use its expertise in entrepreneurship and development at the UN to encourage innovation around the globe. The UN General Assembly passed an Israeli-sponsored resolution on “Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development.”
This is the third time this Israeli-initiated resolution has been adopted by the General Assembly. The resolution was supported by 123 member states, with eight abstaining and 30 voting against the resolution.
The resolution outlines “key ways in which UN member states, and the UN itself, can help remove the barriers facing entrepreneurs and unleash the talent that is innate in all societies.” In addition, the resolution focuses on capacity-building, training programs and business incubators for entrepreneurs.
Israel has largest number of startups per capita in the world and was recently ranked by the World’s Economic Forum as the world’s third most innovative country. The Jewish state will continue to take an active role in entrepreneurship and development at the UN.
Israel Elected to the UN Space Committee Bureau
On October 2017, Israel, together with five other countries, was elected to the bureau of the United Nations’ Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
Israel has been a member of COPUOS since 2015 and a full member of the UN Committee on Space Affairs since 2016. Israeli expertise in the field of space and aviation will allow it to play a meaningful role as a leading member of COPUOS.
Israel is the smallest country in the world with satellite launch capabilities and is one of only 11 nations with the ability to launch unmanned missions into space.
Israel Elected to Lead UN Legal Committee
In June 2016, Israeli Ambassador to UN Danny Danon was elected to chair the UN General Assembly’s Legal Committee, the “primary forum for the consideration of legal questions in the General Assembly.”
The Legal Committee is one of six UN permanent committees and it focuses on a range of legal issues, including terrorism. Israel’s vast experience in international law and counterterrorism has allowed Danon to play an active role in the committee.
Upon announcement of his election, Danon noted that “Israel is a world leader in international law and in fighting terrorism. We are pleased to have the opportunity to share our knowledge with the countries of the world.”
Israel’s appointment to the Sixth Committee is a historic achievement, marking the first time that Israel was selected to head a permanent committee of the General Assembly.
Israeli Ambassador Elected as GA Vice President
In May 2017, Danon was elected as a vice president of the United Nations’ 72nd General Assembly. Danon will serve a one-year term, which began this September and will end in September of 2018.
As a vice president of the GA, Danon is responsible for chairing GA meetings when the president is absent, takes part in setting the agenda of the GA and oversees the rules and decorum during the sessions.
Danon’s appointment marks Israel’s growing influence at the UN and in the international arena. The Israeli envoy welcomed his new role, noting that “it is an honor to represent the State of Israel in this leadership position at the United Nations. We have proven once again that Israel is ready and able to serve in significant positions in the UN.”
“Israel is proud of its accomplishments at the United Nations, despite the myriad of challenges it faces in the international body. Israel will continue to advocate for important causes through its work at the UN and other international forums,” Israel’s mission top the UN stated.
By: United with Israel Staff
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