Holy See Calls for Human Dignity at Center of International Agenda

The Holy See stated that human dignity must be the central focus of the international agenda.

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, delivered a statement regarding the needs of the most vulnerable people and countries. He specifically highlighted the challenges faced by Landlocked Developing Countries, Least Developed Countries, and Small Island Developing States.

For Small Island Developing States, the Holy See pointed to the need for assistance tailored to their reality, as they are particularly vulnerable to transport cost increases and disasters related to climate change. The Holy See advocated for a specific support program for Least Developed Countries during their transition out of that category. For Landlocked Developing Countries, the representative emphasized the importance of improving transit corridors and facilitating trade.

Balestrero stated that these measures are not mere technical adjustments but are concrete expressions of solidarity with nations that have the fewest resources to respond to the greatest challenges. He noted that traditional development indicators and official statistics often fail to adequately reflect the vulnerabilities of these nations.

The representative of the Holy See invited the international community to move beyond a vision of development linked primarily to Gross Domestic Product. The statement argued that such economic indicators may ignore essential aspects of the environment and the well being of people. The focus should be on how development reduces inequalities, protects the environment, and contributes to human life rather than just measuring economic growth.

The statement further noted that economic obstacles, inequalities, and climate change are interdependent and require coordinated, solidary responses. The Holy See maintains that international policies must start with the human person, who possesses an inherent dignity given by God. This perspective aims to ensure that no one is left on the margins of development efforts and the care for the common home.