KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (NNN-BERNAMA) — More than 200 million people from 194 countries, including world leaders, had gathered virtually on Sunday to call for world peace.
Organised by the Universal Peace Foundation (UPF) to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, the event was the third of the ‘Rally of Hope’ series, held this year. The first and second ones were held in August and Sept, respectively.
UPF, in a statement to Bernama, said the event themed “Rally of Hope for the Realisation of a Heavenly Unified World: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values” called for a unified Korea, but equally important was the call for a unified world of peace.
According to the statement, co-founder of UPF Dr Hak Ja Han Moon in his keynote address had outlined two new projects, namely the setting up of Korean War memorials in all 63 nations that gave troops, military supplies, medical support, or humanitarian aid to Korea at the time of the conflict 70 years ago, and to establish an international association of artists for world peace.
World leaders who attended the virtual event include South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Belgium Prime Minister Yves Leterme.
The speakers also touched on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Coronavirus has reminded us of the interconnectedness of the world we live in,” said Rajapaksa.
“It is high time we start thinking about the road to recovery, post-COVID-19, and use the same approach to rebuild a more prosperous, harmonious and peaceful world,” he said.
UPF, founded in 2005, is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
