Secretary-General, in Video Message to Inauguration Ceremony, Says New Brasilia

 

UN House Will Help Build Even More Productive Ties with Host Country

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the inauguration of the United Nations House in Brasilia, today, 14 November:

Foreign Minister Antônio de Aguiar Patriota, Governor Nelson Tadeu Filippelli, Excellencies, dear colleagues, friends,

Congratulations on the inauguration of United Nations House in Brasilia.  The United Nations is deeply honoured that you have named these new premises after Sergio Vieira de Mello.  Sergio’s life symbolized fully what the United Nations stands for, and how a single individual can make a difference for people around the world.  The values he fought and died for will always live on.

We live in a time of transition.  Challenges are interrelated.  Poverty, environmental degradation and security threats have to be addressed comprehensively.  This United Nations House will allow you to pool your expertise and generate real results.  I hope that as you work together under one roof you also advance jointly toward our shared goals of development in Brazil and around the world.

Acting and delivering as one from this new United Nations House will create greater efficiency and build an even more productive working relationship with our host country.  I thank the Government and people of Brazil for making the establishment of UN House in Brasilia possible.  And I thank Brazil, once again, for your continued commitment and generous support for the United Nations.

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For information media • not an official record