Statement of the UN Resident Coordinator at the UN75 Dialogue with Artists

Honourable guests, UN colleagues, brothers and sisters. A beautiful morning to you all.

It is with great happiness that I join you this morning, as you discuss important issues and opportunities offered by artists in the world, to give us hope, to bring us together,  and to inspire us during this  time of time of great distress affecting millions of people across the world.

On the 15th April 2020, as the world was officially declared to be facing a pandemic and people self-isolating at home as part of the global lockdown, the head of UNESCO remarked that, “ With billions of people either in lockdown or on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic, this first celebration of World Art Day is a timely reminder that “art has the power to unite and connect in times of crisis”.

I couldn’t agree more. Art demonstrates people’s resilience in times of suffering, so they may build back better, stronger, greener and fairer. Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for all peoples across the globe and plays an important role in sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity and dialogue

Today, as we hold our dialogue marking the UN’s 75th anniversary, we are here to hear from you about resilience, hope, innovation and building back better. These dialogues are an opportunity to engage broadly and inclusively with various communities in Eswatini, from children to the youth and elderly, business owners, people living with disabilities, politicians and others, during an unprecedented global health crisis that bears severe economic and social impacts. The questions that we may all have in our mind at present are: will we survive this crisis and will we emerge from it stronger or more vulnerable than before it struck us?

These commemorative dialogues, which are ongoing globally, are particularly pertinent for us here today, as the Kingdom of Eswatini will be vice president of the UN General Assembly for world leaders taking place next month. The dialogues are an opportunity to hear the views, concerns, dreams and recommendations of individuals and communities on “The future we want, the UN we need” – which is the theme commemorating this 75th anniversary. It is also an opportunity for you as artists to present your views such that they influence discussions during the high level meeting in September.  We wish to congratulate His Majesty, King Mswati III, once again, for Eswatini’s election.

Particularly important to these conversations are the voices of non-traditional communities, including yours as artists from various sectors of which Eswatini is richly blessed: film, visual art, photography, music, acting, dance, theatre, production and direction, pottery, crafts, fashion, sculpture, poetry and many others. To create an inclusive and equal world – and indeed a world that thrives with the talent and beauty and hope art provides us -  we need to pay attention to your voices. Let your voices be heard today.

We are aware that although art has given us hope in this time, COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the difficulty of the lives and livelihoods of millions of artists globally. The UN system in Eswatini would thus like to pay tribute to the solidarity shown by artists and institutions at a time when art is suffering the full force of the effects of a global health, economic and social crisis, and artists are faced with loss of livelihoods. You matter, your work matters, your experiences matter and your contributions to society and our cultural heritage are highly valuable.

Your rights in the arts industry are just as important as of those in any industry, and they must be upheld and protected. The Kingdom of Eswatini ratified the UNESCO Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions in 2012, and we are here today to continue this support to the arts industry in the country. We support key policies such as the Swaziland National Arts and Culture Policy and the Swaziland National Trust commission Act of 1973 that protect your rights and your work.

As the UN, we believe in the prosperity, celebration, safety, health, and equal opportunities for artists and others in the industry. It is critical that we hear from you today. Each of your voices is invaluable. Through a small glimpse at your talents,  creative expression, experiences, together, we may start building a better future.

I wish you lively, very engaging, and fruitful discussions. I thank you.