SADDENED BY DEATH OF LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES HIM AS ‘TRUE

FRIEND’ OF UNITED NATIONS, WHO MADE PROFOUND CONTRIBUTION TO PEOPLE IN NEED

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Luciano Pavarotti, the tenor and United Nations Messenger of Peace.  He extends his sympathy and condolences to Mr. Pavarotti’s family, as well as to the Government and people of Italy, at this painful time.

The Secretary-General notes that Mr. Pavarotti made a profound contribution not only to music and the arts, but also to people in need around the world.  His work for children -- particularly those affected by armed conflict -- stretched from Afghanistan to Liberia and beyond.  By staging concerts and marshalling talented friends to help raise funds, he generated millions of dollars for humanitarian aid.  A true friend of the United Nations, he described himself as “a small link to help promote the humanitarian aims and inviolable rights which are under the United Nations flag”.  The Secretary-General joins Mr. Pavarotti’s countless fans and admirers, as well as all those he worked to help and heal, in giving thanks for his life.

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For information media • not an official record