DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ALL-FEMALE CLASS OF SECURITY OFFICERS AT UNITED

NATIONS, BUT SAYS GENDER PARITY GOAL FOR ORGANIZATION’S STAFF REMAINS ELUSIVE

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro’s remarks at the induction ceremony for new United Nations security officers in New York today:

I am especially pleased that the Secretary-General is here today, because he has committed to ensure gender parity -- and 50-50 parity at that.

I am delighted to be with all of you today.

Thank you for inviting me to address this induction ceremony.  I am particularly happy to have the opportunity to meet some of the United Nations newest staff members.

As I look at this class of new recruits, I see the future of this great Organization.  And I am heartened by the fact that among this group is the first all-female class of recruits to the Department of Safety and Security.

More than 60 years ago, the United Nations Charter proclaimed the equal rights of men and women.  Inside this house, we have also proclaimed the equal rights of men and women.  The General Assembly has called for a 50-50 gender balance in the staff of the United Nations system.  Your presence here is an important signal of the direction in which we must go to achieve this target.  And we are supported by the Secretary-General himself, who is taking leadership on this.

The induction of an all-female class of security officers comes shortly after another important achievement in the UN’s operations.  Earlier this year, for the first time in the history of United Nations peacekeeping, an all-female police unit from India arrived in Liberia.  This contingent is helping the United Nations Mission in Liberia to strengthen the rule of law and maintain peace in the country.  I have no doubt that you, like them, will be successful in your service to the UN.

Despite these landmarks, we are still far from achieving gender balance among United Nations staff.  But the Secretary-General, as I have rightly said, and I are committed to working towards this goal.  And we expect to do so in all areas and at all levels of the UN system.

I urge all of you -- men and women alike -- to take full advantage of the opportunities available to you for training and mobility, so that you can make the best possible contributions to the indispensable work carried out by the United Nations.  You join a dynamic organization that strives to promote peace, prosperity and human dignity around the world.  Working for the UN is a unique privilege.  It demands that we adhere to the highest standards, and that we all set an example for the world.

Since assuming my duties as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, I have been impressed by the high level of professionalism, dedication and know-how that exists among staff throughout the system.  The staff -- which now include all of you -- are clearly our most valuable asset.

As you begin your careers in the United Nations, I am confident that you will make important and lasting contributions to our common enterprise in upholding humanity’s deepest values and highest aspirations.  I am grateful to every one of you for your commitment to that cause.

There is only one thing left for me to say to all of you: Welcome to the UN family!

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For information media • not an official record