Our much loved Ranju and Ravi Batra,
President of the General Assembly Csaba Kṓrösi.
Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentleman.
I thank my colleague Olof Skoog, and dear Ranju and Ravi, for the Diwali Stamp and this “Power of One” Award event, and for inviting me to represent Kazakhstan on this special day. “The Power of One” is an ennobling concept, inspiring us as diplomats and representatives of Governments to become stewards of humanity and guardians of Mother Earth.
I warmly felicitate my dear colleagues who are the 2022 awardees. I wish each of you even greater success in your noble undertakings.
The festival of Diwali symbolizes light, brightness and prosperity. It enjoins us to stand for human advancement and progress, with an outreach in friendship and understanding to the 193 countries of the world. We can go on this path abiding by the principles of the UN Charter, and strengthening the pillars of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. Agenda 2030, in a way, embodies the concept of social justice on a global level, and the Secretary-General’s “Agenda for Peace” lays the foundations for stability and development.
My country, Kazakhstan truly signifies the concept of “The Power of One”, according to which, every citizen is important and a great resource for the country. With the new package of reforms introduced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, we see the transformation of the country into a “Just and Fair Kazakhstan”, becoming a “Listening State” with an accountable Government serving people through decentralized institutions, where all have an equal voice.
The light of Diwali has been aflame for hundreds of years in the culture and civilization of India, which was the first ever foreign country in my diplomatic career. Likewise, the Diwali Stamp will remain etched in the history of philately of the US. Its creation and continuation are no small efforts, and this success we attribute to the exceptional and tireless efforts of our dear Ranju and Ravi Batra.
In a metaphoric way, let this light of Diwali illuminate the work of the UN diplomatic community partners and stakeholders. Diwali, therefore, signifies our path of multilateralism, respecting human dignity, and abundant goodwill toward all.
Thank you once again, dear Ranju and Ravi, as we all warmly embrace both of you and the world.