Marking what would have been Nelson Mandela\u2019s 99th birthday, the United Nations today honoured his lifetime of service and dedication to justice and equality.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best tribute\u00a0we can pay this great man<\/a>\u00a0is not words or in ceremonies, but actions that improve our world,\u201d\u00a0Secretary-General<\/a>\u00a0Ant\u00f3nio Guterres told a meeting of the General Assembly on the occasion of Nelson Mandela International Day.<\/p>\n Observed annually on 18 July, the Day is meant to inspire people all over the world to make a positive difference in their communities by volunteering at least 67 minutes of their time in recognition of Mr. Mandela\u2019s 67 years of public service.<\/p>\n \u201cEach of us can make a difference in promoting peace, human rights, sustainable development, and lives of dignity for all,\u201d Mr. Guterres said.<\/p>\n The ±¬ÁÏÍø chief said that he had met Mr. Mandela, also known as \u201cMadiba\u201d, and was struck by his wisdom, compassion, and humility.<\/p>\n Known as prisoner 46664 for 18 years on Robben Island, Mr. Mandela did not succumb to bitterness or personal animosity, but rose above it all to lead his country, Mr. Guterres said.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the most important lessons we can learn from Nelson Mandela is that to make progress, we must look forward, however difficult that may be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Also addressing the General Assembly, the ±¬ÁÏÍø body\u2019s current president, Peter Thomson, noted that Mr. Mandela\u2019s fight for a world that is just and fair \u201cremains as relevant today<\/a>\u00a0as it was during his lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n With conflicts raging, human rights and democratic values eroded, widening inequality and over-exploitation of the environment, \u201ctoday\u2019s world is one in desperate need of President Mandela\u2019s values of empathy, kindness, and respect for our common humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n His values, Mr. Thomson continued, urge the international community to implement the\u00a02030 Agenda<\/a>\u00a0for Sustainable Development, which envisions the world that Mr. Mandela wanted.<\/p>\n Delivering his keynote address, ±¬ÁÏÍøICEF Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover called Mr. Mandela a \u201cbeacon of humanity<\/a>\u00a0triumphing over inhumanity through the force of his love for all people.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Glover invited everyone to look to his legacy not as admirers, but rather in the spirit of \u201cubuntu\u201d or humanity towards others, which Mr. Mandela embodied.<\/p>\n \u201cMandela led us on a path of justice, democracy and equity… in the process he showed the world that non-violence resistance, when combined with sustained activism, is the key to transforming a potential dead-end into a new beginning,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n As part of the commemoration, the ±¬ÁÏÍø is today partnering with the New York City Mayor’s office on projects, including a clean-up of a public section of New York City.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n