UN Resident Coordinator's statement on the launch of Nelson Mandela Day SDGs Quote Booklet – Johannesburg   Monday, 11 September 2023  

Thank you to the Programme Facilitator Ms. Krivani Pillay  

• Trustees and Staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation 

• Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps including the Dean 

• CEOs and representatives of the Private Sector, Civil Society, Academia and think tanks AND the media fraternity 

• The UN Country Team and wider UN family present 

• To our partners and UN global community tuning in from all over the through the virtual platforms 

• Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen – good afternoon  

It was in this very room, about 1 meter to my left, that our beloved Madiba made perhaps his most emphatic call in 2008 - “It is in your Hands to create a better world for all who live in it”.  

He reminded the new generation of leaders, and essentially every citizen of the world, that we all have the power and duty to effect change in our troubled world. 

This powerful statement implores us to recognize that we are not helpless in the face of the world's challenges. 

Rather, we are required to be agents of change and servant leaders for people and planet, equipped with the capacity to shape our societies, our future, our destinies and our shared home – the earth. 

How we lead our lives and the choices we make about how we treat each other and the planet matters. 

How we spend our money, how we vote, what we advocate for, what we buy, what we produce, how we use energy, how we handle trash, how we protect and empower the most vulnerable – this all matters.  

The quality of our individual life choices impacts the fate of our neighbor, our planet and our collective future. 

Today the partnership between the UN in South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation builds on that powerful clarion call-to-action. 

We have proudly co-created the Nelson Mandela Sustainable Development Goals Quote Booklet.  

The book collates 17 of Madiba’s famous quotes and excerpts from his impactful speeches – his pearls of wisdom.  

Within the pages, Madiba's wisdom is intertwined with the individual 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering insight and inspiration.  

Above all the book also contains indicative actions that we can all take to play our part. 

The book is indeed a practical guide, providing valuable tips and encouraging individuals and communities to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in South Africa and around the world.  

Our launch comes one week before the 2023 SDG Summit at the United Nations in New York.  

This summit marks the halfway point of the journey towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

This occasion, like the SDG Summit, offers us an opportunity to reflect on the timeless values Madiba espoused, an indomitable spirit of resilience, a relentless pursuit of equality and freedom, and an unwavering commitment to peace, cohesion and justice. 

We are starkly reminded of the magnitude of the task that awaits us.  

We no longer have the luxury of time.  

We must act now and do so in an accelerated and intentional manner. 

Whether it is through advocating for equality, standing up against injustice, investing in business that do no harm, planting trees and recycling waste, or contributing to sustainable development, we each have a role to play!  

Every action has a reaction.  

A Ripple effect.  

The sum of every action will accumulate toward a tangible difference as we champion the causes of people and the planet for the sake of present and future generations. 

Today's launch is a clarion call to action for individuals, communities, business, leaders, and organizations. 

It is our hope that Madiba’s words will ignite a fire of action, reinforcing the notion that every person has a role to play in achieving the SDGs. 

Every little or big step you [we] all take in the right direction, moves us closer to our desired sustainable development destination. 

Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this moment to recognise and applaud the Nelson Mandela Foundation for their tireless efforts in ensuring that Madiba’s call to action continues to echo in our hearts and minds.  

Let's continue to honor his legacy by taking up this mantle of responsibility and actively working towards a world that reflects the values he fought for – fairness, justice, and equality. 

The path to a prosperous and sustainable world is paved with the continuation of Madiba's legacy.  

Thank you!