SECURITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES PEACE PRIZE AWARD TO UN, SECRETARY-GENERAL; SAYS UN IDEALS, ACTIVITIES BEST HOPE FOR MEETING FUTURE CHALLENGES

Security Council

4390^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES PEACE PRIZE AWARD TO UN, SECRETARY-GENERAL;

SAYS UN IDEALS, ACTIVITIES BEST HOPE FOR MEETING FUTURE CHALLENGES

Secretary-General Tells Council UN Should Feel Proud, but Humbled

As the Security Council this afternoon celebrated the award of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations and to its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, it said that the United Nations today remained the best hope for a future in which people everywhere could work together to meet common challenges and advance shared goals.

In statement read out by its President, Richard Ryan (Ireland), the Council said that the decision of the Nobel Committee reflected the high esteem shared by people throughout the world for Mr. Annan and rightly honoured his exceptional achievements in the service of the Organization, the entire international community and the United Nations itself.  The Council also paid special tribute to all the men and women who worked for the United Nations, wherever their tasks or duties or wherever they might be in the service of peace.

In warmly congratulating the Secretary-General, the Council reiterated its strong support for his efforts in upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter and for his role in assuring the Organization of its full and rightful place in the world, as well as in leading its search for new ways forward for men and women in all countries to live their lives with dignity and peace.

Following the presidential statement, the Secretary-General said that, while all who worked for the United Nations should feel proud today, they should also feel humbled, because more would be expected of them now.  The only true prize would be peace itself, he stressed.

He also congratulated all the Council members past and present saying that the Nobel Committee had honoured the Council and all parts of the Organization, including the men and women who worked for the United Nations in the service of peace.

He said that at the Millennium Summit the heads of government had reaffirmed the United Nations as the common house of all of humanity.  They had further stated that the only negotiable route to global peace and cooperation was by the way of the Organization.  It was important that the world travel the route described by the Nobel Committee. 

The meeting began at 12:48 p.m. and was adjourned at 1 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The presidential statement, to be issued as S/PRST/2001/28, reads as follows:

“The Security Council today celebrates, together with the rest of the United Nations family, the award of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations and to its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

“The United Nations is the embodiment of cooperation among States in safeguarding peace, advancing international development, and in combating common threats to the dignity and well-being of peoples everywhere.

“The United Nations remains today, in its activities around the world and in the ideals its sets, the best hope for a future in which peoples everywhere can work together to meet common challenges and to advance common goals.

“The Security Council today pays special tribute to all the men and women who work for the United Nations, whatever their tasks of duty, wherever they may be in the service of peace.

“The decision of the Nobel Committee to award the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations and to the Secretary-General reflects the high esteem shared by people throughout the world for Secretary-General Kofi Annan.  It rightly honours his exceptional achievements in the service of the United Nations and of the entire international community, as well as honouring the achievements of the United Nations itself.

“In warmly congratulating the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, the Council reiterates its own strong support for his efforts in upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and for his role in assuring to the Organization its full and rightful place in the world and in leading its search for new ways forward for all men and women in all countries to live their lives with dignity and peace.”

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