The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sylvester Grigsby has applauded and commended the United Nations for keeping world peace.

Making special remarks on behalf of the Foreign Minister during a program held to commemorate UN Day at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Stadium in Paynesville, Amb. Grigsby said the global body in its 68th year of existence has been keeping its promise of peace that will prevent future generations from the scourge of war.

“I believe by and large, it has kept that promise. We have not had World War III although there have been proxy wars in various regions especially during the Cold War. The end of the Cold War unleashed powerful divisive forces in shading ethnic revelries and democratic movements. Many of which have led to recent undesirable terrors and tragedies such as Kosovo and Rwanda. However’ the UN has adopted these realities and managed to contain the spread of those wars beyond certain geographical boundaries and through peacekeeping operations”, the Deputy Foreign Minister remarked.

A Foreign Ministry release said Minister Grigsby emphasized that the world is now benefitting from the UN’s good goals, adding that the Liberian Government is pleased that the UN has taken the lead on crucial issues of sustainable development, health delivery, the formulation of the Millennium Development Goals and also taking the initiatives to formulate agenda for post 2015 Development Agenda.

The UN Day was attended by a cross-section of dignitaries from the United Nations Mission In Liberia (UNMIL), the United Nations family in general, Government officials, civil society groups, students and the business community.

He also applauded and commended the organizers of the program for their excellent emphasis on youth geared towards peace as demonstrated in all the performances. He also lauded the United Nations Mission In Liberia (UNMIL) which has made it possible for the country to celebrate ten years of uninterrupted peace.

This year’s theme for the UN’s 68th Anniversary was “UN 4 U”.

Amb. Grigbsy congratulated the UN’s ongoing campaign on the prevention of chemical weapons, particularly in Syria which produced a rare unanimity in the UN Security Council recently to adopt a resolution on the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. He described that action as a giant step and hope that this spirit will last and encourage more cooperation among the members of the UN Organization.