Secretary-General, in Video Message for Beijing Sina Weibo Ceremony,

 

Accepts Special Merit Award on Behalf of All United Nations Staff

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Sina Weibo award ceremony in Beijing on 14 January:

[“Hello everyone, I am Ban Ki-moon.”]  I am deeply honoured to receive the 2012 Sina Award of Special Merit.  Thank you very much.

I accept on behalf of all United Nations staff members, especially the team in our Department of Public Information.  Thanks to their hard work, the United Nations Weibo account has more than 3 million followers.

People in China and around the world care about the United Nation’s work for peace, human rights and development.  I am grateful for their engagement.  We can only reach our goals with all partners.  We need Governments, non-governmental organizations and concerned citizens to speak out about global problems, and work together for solutions.

Social media networks like Sina Weibo are helping individuals to raise their voices.  This helps us foster dialogue and forge common ground.  I saw this during my online dialogue with Chinese citizens on Weibo last July.  They asked questions about peacekeeping, human rights, political issues and more.

I was impressed by their engagement.  I count on China and its people to advance our campaign for progress.

The Spring Festival is coming soon.  Please accept my best wishes to you and your families for prosperity, health and happiness in the New Year.

I look forward to our continuing cooperation.

Thank you so much.  [“Happy New Year; thank you.”]

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For information media • not an official record