UN declares Mandela Day

UN: The United Nations has declared July 18 "Nelson Mandela International Day" in recognition of the former South African President's contribution to peace and freedom, a UN spokesperson said here on Wednesday.

The resolution was adopted on Tuesday by the 192-member General Assembly to commemorate Mandela's long-standing commitment to promoting conflict resolution, race relations, human rights, reconciliation and gender equality, said Jean-Victor Nkolo, spokesperson of the president of the General Assembly at a daily noon briefing.

He said the day will be observed annually on July 18, Mandela's birthday, beginning in 2010, when the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former anti-apartheid leader will turn 92 years old. By adopting the resolution, the UN "expressed its attachment to freedom, respect and honor and its appreciation for a great man who had suffered for the sake of people everywhere," Nkolo quoted General Assembly President Ali Treki as saying.

Thursday, Xinhua