Secretary-General, at Annual Dinner, Hails ‘Historic New Alliance’ between Local

 

UN Association’s Grass-roots Base, United Nations Foundation’s Global Reach

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, to the UNA-USA (United Nations Association of the United States of America) 2010 dinner, on 18 November:

I thank you all for coming here to show your support for the United Nations.  This annual dinner is always meaningful, but tonight is especially significant as it marks the start of a great alliance between UNA-USA and the United Nations Foundation.

Mr. [Ted] Turner, it is impossible to sum up in words what you have done for the United Nations, so let me use a number: 1 billion.  Your gift of $1 billion to create the United Nations Foundation inspired a generation.  Tonight, you made it possible to pay tribute to four extraordinary leaders.

Simon Fuller.  You know I was once on American Idol; I was there to support “Idol Gives Back”.  What a tremendous initiative, bringing the United Nations into America’s living rooms and giving Americans a way to join the United Nations in saving lives around the world.

Senator [John] Kerry, you are a powerful voice for United States engagement on United Nations issues: ending violence against women, combating climate change, disarmament, Sudan, Pakistan, human rights and more.

Microsoft is saving countless lives in the most creative ways.  Using cell phones to monitor foetal heart rates and making so many other contributions.  Not just major funds but vision and determination.

I am delighted that Michel Sidibé is honoured for his leadership on AIDS.  He is out there speaking to HIV-positive people, learning from them and leading an effective global campaign.

We are celebrating an historic new alliance between the United Nations Foundation and UNA-USA.  It is a marriage of the local and the global — UNA-USA’s grass-roots base and the United Nations Foundation’s global reach.

Global warming, poverty and disease are testing international solidarity.  Inequality is breeding instability.  Our mission in these testing times has never been so critical.  And we have a greater responsibility than ever to be resourceful with our resources, accountable with our accounts and answerable to the world’s people, who look to us with hope.

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For information media • not an official record