Underscoring Peru's endurance in its combat against terrorism, corruption, as well as its vulnerability to climate change impacts, the Inca country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gustavo Meza-Cuadra affirmed the Organization is essential for a "peaceful and sustainable" future in Peru, the region and beyond.
In his address at the
General Assembly's annual debate, Meza-Cuadra said that enduring such challenges means Peru has welcomed the special attention given to sustainable peace and humanitarian crises prevention, adding that access to weapons of mass destruction by terrorist groups "is a real threat."
Regarding climate change, the ambassador reaffirmed his nation's commitment to the
Paris Agreement, and the progress it could mean for a seashore country previously inundated by torrential rains brought by
Coastal El Niño phenomenon, as well as the losses of biodiversity and ecosystems to extreme weather phenomena.
Turning to the
2030 Agenda and its
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the diplomat expressed concern about the threat of corruption at
global level, calling it an attack that "erodes democratic governance and legal stability of our countries."
"Corruption triggers disenchantment and distrust in institutions, and bolsters inequality," the envoy claimed in this sense.
Expressing concern for neighboring Venezuela —at times of social instability— he said that while the answer to solving the country's crisis depends on Venezuelans themselves, the issue nevertheless requires international solidarity and support.