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The role of media in building bridges of understanding between nations
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Annamária Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations delivered a statement at the Alliance of Civilizations Group of Friends meeting held on 4 June 2015.
The meeting was dedicated to the role of media in building bridges of understanding between nations.
In her statement, Ambassador Bogyay emphasized that the media has an instrumental role in the promotion of dialogue among cultures. Ambassador Bogyay highlighted the media’s huge potential to fight violent extremism by targeting the youth with messages of tolerance and respect for cultural diversity. She argued that by challenging stereotypes and xenophobic attitudes, the media can influence the perceptions and cultural identity of our youth and eliminate the ignorance that breeds extremism and violence.
To read the full statement, click here.
Permanent Mission of Hungary to the United Nations participates in the UN International Bazaar
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations and members of the Permanent Mission participated at the second United Nations International Bazaar (UNIB) on 2 June 2015.
Around one hundred UN Member States and different women’s organizations participated in the one day fundraising event and raised over $125.000. The proceed will go to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and United Nations Women’s Guild projects to help children around the world.
"The increased number of attacks on journalists is a symptom of a much broader problem" - Hungary on the Protection of Journalists in conflict situations
Statement at the Open Debate of the UN Security Council on the Protection of Journalists in conflict situations, by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Zsolt Hetesy, Deputy Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations, on 27 May 2015.
The debate was organized by the Lithuanian Presidency of the Security Council and focused on ensuring the safety of journalists in conflict situations and the question of accountability.
Resolution 2222, co-sponsored by 48 states, including Hungary, was adopted unanimously by the Council, and it affirms that the work of a free, independent and impartial media constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society.
Ambassador Hetesy highlighted in his statement that the safety of journalists has direct impact on the freedom of opinion and expression therefore they must be protected. For people in conflict situations, access to quality and timely information can be a matter of life and death. Hungary emphasized that the increased number of attacks on journalists is a symptom of a much broader problem, related to the diminishing respect for international human rights and humanitarian law obligations in conflict situations. Therefore, besides treating the symptom, we will also have to focus on the root causes. The violence against journalists can only be addressed by the cooperation of States, the UN agencies and relevant stakeholders.
Goals and targets are the bedrock of Hungary's Sustainable Development Agenda
Hungary has been requested to share its views on goals, targets and indicators during the Informal Interactive Stakeholder Hearing on the Post-2015 development agenda, held 26-27 May, 2015.
In his statement, H.E. Ambassador Zsolt Hetesy Deputy Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations emphasized the interrelated and universal nature of goals and targets. “By looking at the stars for inspiration, but keeping its feet on the ground”, the Open Working Group has come up with an ambitious package that is close to the maximum political carrying capacity of States, while being implementable and realistic. Proposals speak to all countries, and all walks of life. Hungary also emphasized that the set of indicators must mirror the logic of the goals and targets in becoming a cross-referenced and integrated whole, with inter-linkages clearly understood.
Ambassador Katalin Bogyay to give keynote speech in Rome at a Senior Officials meeting on UN Security Council Reform
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations gave a keynote speech on “Regional representation and size of the future Council” at a two day meeting in Rome on 21-22 May 2015, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy for permanent representatives to exchange views on the reform of the Security Council.
Ambassador Bogyay emphasized the power of dialogue and the openness to creative ideas. Hungary is a committed and active supporter of the Security Council reform. The ongoing process gives the opportunity for the first time in many years to break out of self-repeating cycles of negotiations, to exchange opinions, narrow down differences and identify areas of consensus as she stated. Addressing the issue of regional representation Ambassador Bogyay highlighted three interrelated questions: the categories of enlargement, the size of the future Council and the representation of regions.
To read the full statement delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.
Birth Registration: Passport to Protection - Hungary co-hosts panel discussion
The Permanent Missions of Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire and Hungary to the United Nations, and UNICEF and the Rule of Law Unit on behalf of the UN Rule of Law Resource and Coordination Group (ROLCRG), organised a panel discussion on “Birth Registration: Passport to Protection” in New York on Thursday 21 May 2015.
The event provided an opportunity for Member States, UN entities and civil society to exchange knowledge, experiences and best practices on achieving universal birth registration. It also provided an opportunity to discuss and hear about progress on the implementation of the voluntary pledges on the rule of law, made on the occasion of the High Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels in September 2012.
H.E. Ambassador Zsolt Hetesy, Deputy Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations spoke about the importance of legal identity and birth registration in the context of the Sustainable Development Agenda, as well as about the implementation of Hungary’s 2012 pledge to reform birth registration procedures.
Ambassador Hetesy outlined that the target of universal birth registration in Goal 16 of the SDG’s is one of the drivers and cross cutting targets of the agenda. He highlighted that without legal identity, an individual is left out from all three pillars of development and all of the 16 Goals. Birth registration is pivotal to access services, opportunities and inclusive development. In particular, he drew on his interactions with activists and entrepreneurs in his former capacity as Vice-President of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation to point out that birth registration is important for the realization of economic participation, and building on that, for political rights. It is essential to access education and work opportunities, to open a bank account, to register businesses, access loans and financial credits, as well as to own property. The lack of birth registration therefore compounds the vulnerability of those who are already most vulnerable in society. Ambassador Hetesy also emphasised that birth registration is crucial for improving the Government’s data on vital statistics, and for planning at the national level.
Ambassador Hetesy discussed the implementation of Hungary’s pledge “to simplify administrative procedures regarding birth registration and civil records”, made on the occasion of the High Level Meeting of the Rule of Law in 2012. To fulfil this goal Hungary had switched to a fully digitalised and centralised system of registration, trained registrars, and employed IT-systems to simplify registration procedures and records.
The aim of the Government of Hungary is to ensure that the birth of every child born alive in Hungary is registered. Some steps taken to that end include placing the primary onus to ensure registration on the director and staff members of medical institutions where the birth takes place, reducing the burden on parents. Hungary had also created the tool of “fictitious Parent” to allow children with unknown parents to be registered, and integrated the registration of birth to the processes of obtaining other documentation such as ID Cards, passports, social security and tax cards. As a result of these steps, the last case of an unregistered birth in Hungary had been a single occurrence in 2008. Ambassador Hetesy concluded by stating that some of Hungary’s key goals for the future included transferring all existing information on the paper based registers onto digital registers and combining the different forms of identification into one identification card.
Education, respect for cultural diversity and supportive environment - the family's role in sustainable development
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations participated as a panelist at the event organized by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See and the UN Alliance of Civilizations on “The Family and Sustainable Development” on 14 May 2015.
The event was held on the occasion of the International Day of the Families, which is celebrated annually on 15 May. The speakers at the event included Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and Mrs. Matida Raffa Cuomo, Founder of Mentoring USA.
In her remarks, Ambassador Bogyay underlined the importance of teaching our children at a young age to respect and celebrate the diversity of the human race. The early socialization that takes place within the family has a major impact on future generations. It is our responsibility to teach our children not to view cultural diversity as a burden but as a source of inspiration. She added that parents have to be alert, and protect our children from radicalization, to identify the early signs. Children with a strong feeling of belonging are more likely to build positive identities and a positive outlook of their own future. Providing a supportive environment for families has been a priority for the Hungarian Government that is manifested by the implementation of wide-ranging policy measures.
To read the full statement delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.
Ambassador Bogyay addressed the diplomatic community in Hungary on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Hungary’s membership in the UN
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Annamária Bogyay was invited to give the keynote speech at the conference held on 7 May 2015 in Budapest, Hungary on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the formation of UN and the 60th anniversary of Hungary’s membership in the organization.
Ambassador Bogyay reminded the audience composed of members of the diplomatic community serving in Hungary and representatives of international organizations present in the country that the UN always mirrored the world „we – member states – created”. She said „there is clearly room for improvement, but we should not forget that the UN still offers us a forum where we can meet and interact with each other, where we can work for bettering the world, while also promoting our respective national priorities”.
Ambassador Bogyay recalled the historical context when Hungary was admitted as a member of the UN on 14 December 1955. In addition, she gave a short overview of the main activities of the Hungarian Mission to the UN and pointed out her specific priorities as the new permanent representative.
To read the full statement delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.
Hungary to co-host working lunch on the advancement of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
On the margins of the NPT Review Conference, in their capacity as co-chairs of the Conference on Facilitating Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Hungary and Indonesia organized an informal discussion on 29 April 2015, to discuss the future of the CTBT, and ways to advance its entry into force.
The event concentrated on the universalization of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The fact that the CTBT is not yet in force, 19 years after its adoption, has been clearly the cause for some of the frustration at the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The last two years have seen strong, valiant efforts, but relatively small results for universalization.
Hosting the event at the Hungarian Mission, H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations indicated that any visible progress on the CTBT front would also assist the future of the NPT process, while strong endorsement of CTBT by the NPT Review Conference can also help the CTBT process.
Hungary and Indonesia took over the chairmanship of the Conference on Facilitating Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty from Sweden and Mexico in 2011.
To read the full statement of the Ambassador, please click here.
Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly
Intervention by H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations at the Third Thematic Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on “The selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads”, held on 27 April 2015.
Hungary as member of the ACT Group has always played an active role in the issue and strongly supports the establishment of a clear nomination procedure resulting in a list of official candidates.
In her intervention Ambassador Bogyay supported the statements delivered on behalf of the ACT Group, the Eastern European Group and the European Union on the selection of the Secretary-General. Ambassador Bogyay called for continued and principled application of the regional and gender criteria, and for a more transparent, clear and inclusive selection process built on the basis of the existing framework.
The next Secretary-General should be a charismatic person with excellent communicational and managerial skills, who protects the values of the UN Charter and make the UN more understandable to peoples of the world. Hungary would prefer this master diplomat coming from the Eastern European Group and being a woman.
To read the full statement delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.
Coherence between respective outcome documents, outstanding issues and way forward
Statement of Hungary delivered by Ambassador Dr. Zsolt Hetesy, Deputy Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations on "Coherence between respective outcome documents, outstanding issues and way forward" at the Joint Session of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) and Post-2015 processes, held on 24 April, 2015.
The fourth session of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda took place from 21 to 24 April 2015. Convening as a joint meeting with the participants in the process for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, the four-day session was focusing on means of implementation, the global partnership for development, and coordination between the two processes. In its statement Ambassador Hetesy underlined that Hungary is of the firm view that a single and coherent development agenda can only be created if the logic and ambition of the framework for its implementation is matched with that of the Open Working Group proposal on Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, we need to ensure that the outcome of the Addis Ababa conference on Financing for Development incorporates the paradigm change embraced in the SDGs, and creates a platform allowing for all the stakeholders, all actions and all the resources to pull in the same direction.
To read the full statement of Ambassador Hetessy, please click here.
Multi-faith dialogue, the key to promoting tolerance and reconciliation
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations delivered a statement on 21 April 2015, at the High-Level Thematic Debate of the UN General Assembly on “Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation: Fostering Peaceful, Inclusive Societies and Countering Violent Extremism”.
The event was organized jointly by H. E. Mr. Sam Kutesa, President of the 69th session of the General Assembly and the UN Alliance of Civilizations and provided an opportunity for states, civil society and religious leaders to share experiences and address key issues and challenges related to the promotion of tolerance and reconciliation worldwide.
In her statement, Ambassador Bogyay underlined the essential role of multi-faith dialogue in promoting reconciliation. Reconciliation depends on societal attitudes that do not change overnight, even if the conflict has been resolved peacefully. Reconciliation is therefore a long and complex process that requires sustained commitment from all stakeholders, including the international community. As part of the efforts to promote dialogue and combat Antisemitism, the Government has set up the so-called Jewish Community Roundtable, which provides a platform for continuous dialogue with Jewish communities in Hungary. Ambassador Bogyay added that Hungary assumed the Chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) as of March 2015, in line with Hungary’s commitments to never forget the darkest times of its history.
To read the full statement delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.
Ambassador Katalin Bogyay to introduce János Pásztor, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Change
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations introduced Mr. János Pásztor, newly-appointed UN Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Change on 9 April 2015 in the event at Waterfall Mansion, organized by the UN Foundation in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Denmark, Peru and the United Kingdom.
At the reception organized in the run up to the Paris Climate Conference in December 2015 and dedicated to Mr. János Pásztor, newly-appointed UN Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Change, Ambassador Bogyay underlined that in order to address adequately the major global problems we have today, such as climate change, chronic underdevelopment and inequalities, the very idea of how we relate to nature must be transformed. Moreover, to mobilize the thinking power and resources required global partnerships between governments, civil society and private sector must be established. The Ambassador reconfirmed that Hungary has long been committed, in words and in action, to promoting scientific cooperation, in this spirit is exceptionally welcome that a fellow Hungarian has been appointed to spearhead efforts against climate change.
Enumerating some of the merits of Mr. Pásztor in the fields of science climate change the Ambassador highlighted that the Hungarian scientist has already his expertise and absolute commitment in numerous senior positions in the United Nations system, hence, ahead of the crucial conference at the end of this year in Paris, the process cannot be in better hands.
To read the full speech delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.
Hungary to chair panel discussion on the occasion of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’
H.E. Katalin Bogyay Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations was invited to chair the first panel discussion of the High-Level Interactive Dialogue for Member States and stakeholders on The International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’: Progress Achieved and Lessons Learned for Sustainable Development.
The interactive Dialogue was convened by the President of the General Assembly, where Hungary was invited to chair the first panel discussion due to the active engagement in the water agenda, that is demonstrated by, among other things, the organization of international and regional conferences such as the Budapest Water Summit in 2013 or the Seventh Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the UNECE Water Convention in 2015.
In her opening remarks Ambassador Katalin Bogyay highlighted the importance of science diplomacy and the power of scientific cooperation in bringing people together from different countries and continents, defining common values and aspirations across national boundaries, and creating conditions for durable peace. The Budapest World Science Forum has been a small example of what the international relations will look like in the future where culture of peace and mutual respect will guide the global pursuit of scientific progress. Coming to the issue of water cooperation, the Ambassador highlighted that even though significant steps have been made during the past ten years in promoting access to water and sanitation and fostering cooperation on water issues, significant obstacles remain, which can only be overcome through the contribution and collaboration of all.
To read the full statement delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.
Children and Armed Conflict - Hungary calls for action at the Security Council open debate
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations delivered a statement at the Open Debate of the UN Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict on 25 March 2015.
The debate was organized by the French Presidency of the Security Council and focused on children victims of non-State armed groups. The Council was briefed on recent developments by Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms Yoka Brandt Deputy Director Executive of UNICEF, Mr. Junior Nzita, former child soldier in the DRC and President of the NGO Paix pour l’Enfance, and Ms. Julie Bodin, Child protection advisor of Save the Children in Central African Republic.
In her statement, Ambassador Bogyay highlighted that 2014 has been the worst year for children in many years as the proliferation of conflicts around the world affected tens of millions of children. Impunity continues to be deeply entrenched and most perpetrators are never held accountable for the war crimes they committed. Hungary fully supports the campaign “Children, Not Soldiers”, launched by the Special Representative and UNICEF last year. Ambassador Bogyay added that Hungary is deeply concerned that attacks on schools and hospitals have become a common feature in most armed conflicts, putting children at peril and impeding their access to education and health services. “We must continue to raise our voice against these heinous crimes and call for the immediate release of the schoolgirls”, Ambassador Bogyay concluded.
To read the full statement delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.
Intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 development agenda
Hungary delivered a statement on Indicators at the informal meetings of the plenary in the process of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, held on 23 March 2015.
During the third session of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda the international community continued the work on designing a politically binding document containing the Post-2015 development agenda with a debate on sustainable development goals, targets and indicators.
Once again, Member States have confirmed that the proposal of the Open Working Group contains an ambitious package of goals and targets that is transformative, universal, with a sensitive balance among the three pillars of development. Hence, States have strongly preferred not to reopen the package.
With regard to the issue of global indicators the Membership is of the view that the exercise is of a technical nature and it is to be done by the United Nations Statistical Commission.
Hungary as the Chair of the Eastern European Group to host monthly Ambassadorial luncheon (New York, 24 February 2015)
In her capacity as the Chairman of the Group of Eastern European States (EEG) for the month of February 2015, H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations hosted the EEG monthly Ambassadorial Luncheon at the Permanent Mission of Hungary on 24 February 2015, in New York.
Beside the nominations and candidatures related to the EEG at the working lunch Ambassador Bogyay raised the question of the process of selecting the new UN Secretary-General (SG). Based on the informal regional rotation scheme the next Secretary-General should come from the Eastern European Group as this region never produced an SG. The turn of the EEG to assume this post is widely accepted within the United Nations.
Exhibition in the United Nations on the Hungarian physician Ignác Semmelweis “The Savior of Mothers”
2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the death of Ignác Semmelweis. On this important anniversary the Permanent Mission of Hungary to the United Nations in cooperation with the Semmelweis Medical History Museum hosted an exhibition from 9 to 15 March, 2015 at the United Nations Headquarter in New York, on the margins of the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
Semmelweis proved that puerperal or “childbed” fever, which was one of the main causes of maternal mortality, can be fully prevented. Described as the "savior of mothers", Semmelweis discovered that the use of hand washing in obstetrical clinics could drastically reduce the number of women dying after childbirth. Semmelweis's ideas earned widespread acceptance only years after his death.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition on 11 March, 2015 H.E. Ms. Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations described Ignác Semmelweis as the first „HeForShe”, a Hungarian physician known today as an early pioneer of antiseptic procedures.
In her welcoming remarks H.E. Ms. Katalin Novák, Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs of Hungary stressed the importance of healthcare at birth and in early childhood, the protection of mothers and the important role of the 100-year-old health visitor system in Hungary.
H.E. Ms. Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General, Deputy Executive Director of UN-Women highlighted the promotion of maternal and new born child health, the role of UN-Women in poor countries and the success of UN awareness and guidance programs.
Family policy of the Hungarian government acknowledged in New York
Petition received acknowledging the success of the Hungarian government's support of family values at the 59th meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Civilians have recently started a petition of appreciation for Hungary’s support of family values, which had been signed by more than 22.000 people and was presented on 10 March 2015 to Ms. Katalin Novák, Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs and H.E. Katalin Annamária Bogyay, Permanent Representative.
Hungary organized a separate high level side-event where Minister of State Novák presented the country’s 100-year-old health visitor system that is of huge assistance for families, especially for women.
Minister of State Novák underlined the importance to create balance between family and work as well as to foster social equality between women and men. For the members of the Ministerial Roundtable she added that this is the core of the employment policy measures of the Hungarian government, which also contribute to the improvement of the status of women.
The aim of the 59th meeting of the UN's Commission on the Status of Women is to review whether there has been any improvement regarding the issue of equality between men and women and how the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action have been implemented in the past 20 years.
8600 participants attended the event where vice-presidents, deputy prime ministers, and almost 90 ministers represented UN member states.
(Ministry of Human Capacities)
Hungary draws attention the potential contribution of women to peace and security
H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations participated as a panelist at the event organized by the U.S. Federation for Middle East Peace on “Women in Conflict and Post-conflict Situations” on 10 March 2015.
The event was held on the margins of the 59th session of UN Commission on the status of Women (CSW) on the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Madame Ban Soon-taek, wife of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, attended the event as guest of honor.
In her remarks, Ambassador Bogyay emphasized that women have, time and again, proven their tremendous potential to foster peace, nurture reconciliation and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities. And yet, the potential contribution of women to peace and security remains severely undervalued. By letting half of the population's voice being unheard; it is impossible to build societies based on inclusion and justice. The answer to these challenges lies in innovation and education. Ambassador Bogyay concluded by saying that the CSW session is a great opportunity to send a message to hundreds of millions of women and girls whose voices and hopes are currently unheard that “we will do everything possible to ensure their bright future - future in which they can aim high and realize their dreams”.
To read the full statement delivered by Ambassador Bogyay, please click here.