The U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome mourns the loss of Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former South African President Mr. Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela’s life was marked by a commitment to equity and human dignity, and a belief in the potential within each individual. His work to end apartheid in South Africa brought justice to those to whom it had been denied, and was an inspiration around the world.
As Mr. Mandela once observed, “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.” As we work together to promote agricultural development and resilience, we will take inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s determination to champion the value and dignity of human life, to overcome poverty and to end hunger, and in doing so, bring freedom to millions around the world.
