Secretary-General tells United Nations Day Concert Great Music Would Be Heard,

 

But Time and Again, Peacekeepers’ Good Works Go Unsung

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the United Nations Day concert, “A Tribute to UN Peacekeeping”, in New York Friday, 23 October:

Happy United Nations Day!

What a remarkable programme ahead of us tonight.

We have some of the world’s leading musicians.

We will have a sneak preview of a new documentary film by an award-winning filmmaker.

I thank the Culture Project and all others who have given so freely of their talents to make this evening possible.

We have all come together for one reason: to celebrate the United Nations and one of our flagship activities:  peacekeeping.

At this very minute, there are more UN peacekeepers in the field than ever before.

More than 115,000 men and women, troops, police and civilians, serving in the world’s most troubled areas, doing their part for stability, peace and security.

Tonight is their night.

We often speak about the complexities of modern-day peacekeeping.

But there is another side.

It has nothing to do with mandates, or with the Security Council.

It has everything to do with the spontaneous initiative of individual peacekeepers.

We will hear great music tonight.  But time and again, peacekeepers carry out good works that go unsung.

So often, peacekeepers use their free time to rebuild bridges and roads, to help establish health clinics, to buy sports equipment for children.

This behind-the-scenes work may not make headlines, but it does make our peacekeepers some of the world’s best ambassadors.

Their efforts are even more remarkable when we consider the risks.

Earlier this month, 11 blue helmets lost their lives in an aircraft accident in Haiti.  We mourn their deaths.  Yet we also take inspiration from their lives ‑‑ and from the lives of the more than 2,600 men and women who were killed in the course of their official duties.

So allow me to close with a personal message to our peacekeepers.

Thank you.

Thank you for being flag-bearers of United Nations ideals. Thank you for translating those ideals into reality on the ground every day.  We have you in our hearts, always.

On this UN Day, we at the United Nations ‑‑ peacekeepers and every other staff member ‑‑ reaffirm our commitment to help vulnerable people around the world.  We pledge to do everything in our power for a renewed multilateralism and a stronger United Nations for a better future.

But we need global citizens to do their part. If tonight is any indication, we are on the right track to a better future for all.

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For information media • not an official record