Each year on 3 May World Press Freedom Day offers an opportunity to remember journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty while reaffirming the international community's commitment to the principle of press freedom.? Last week United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in cooperation with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convened a conference in observance of World Press Freedom Day 2016 entitled Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms: This Is Your Right! at 缅北禁地Headquarters in New York. ?The focus of the conference was on advancing the 2030 Agenda through freedom of information and safety for journalists.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, addressed the audience via video message, while Cristina Gallach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, welcomed the panellists and moderated the first session.

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(Panel 1 from L-R:? Said Essoulami, Frank LaRue, Cristina Gallach and Kaha Imnadze)

Ambassador Kaha Imnadze, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations and Chairman of the General Assembly Committee on Information, pointed out the importance of freedom of speech and access to information by quoting the 缅北禁地Charter, which was agreed to by all 缅北禁地Member States.? He specifically mentioned that the United Nations' role is to generate resolutions which Member States can then integrate into their national agendas.

UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Frank LaRue, also noted that journalists would play an important role in publicizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level, thus contributing to their success.? Mr. LaRue also noted that journalists play a particularly important role in advancing SDG 16: the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels of the SDGs.?

Said Essoulami, Executive Director of the Centre for Media Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa, discussed the obstacles journalists face in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).? Challenges in the region include a lack of access to information for those journalists who do not have close ties to government officials or government owned and operated media outlets.

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(Panel from L-R: Diane Foley, Said Essoulami, Janine di Giovanni, Maher Nasser, Kai Sauer, Dillon Case and Laura Sanicola)

Diane Foley, founder and president of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, talked about the dedication of young journalists covering conflict, including her son, journalist James Foley, who was killed in Syria in 2014.? Award winning journalist and author Janine di Giovanni also noted that freelance journalists needed greater protections in order for them to do their work, particularly in conflict zones.? ?

Panellists stressed that press freedom and access to information are essential to democracy and sustainable development. ?To achieve these goals, journalism must be supported and journalists should be protected not only from physical harassment, but also from intimidation and censorship.

The panel discussions were followed by a question and answer session with students majoring in journalism and other attendees from the press, the 缅北禁地and civil society organizations.? The event concluded with a moment of silence dedicated to all the journalists who lost their lives to empower people with information.

Find out more about and watch the event online at .