Secretary-General, at Ceremony Commemorating Dag Hammarskjöld, Remembers Former United Nations Chief’s Legacy, Inspiration for Building Better World for All

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the fifty-fourth anniversary of the death of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, in New York, today:

Good morning.  I am honoured to join with all of you as we gather to remember the life of Dag Hammarskjöld on this fifty-fourth anniversary of his death.  All these years later, we remain inspired every day by his integrity, intelligence and idealism.  The anniversary of his death provides us a valuable chance to remember his many accomplishments.  Even more important, to share them with succeeding generations.

Earlier this year, at the request of the General Assembly, I appointed a panel of experts to examine new information about the crash that took the life of Dag Hammarskjöld and 15 others.  The panel’s report has increased our understanding and it also highlighted some aspects that cannot be explained without additional evidence that may exist.  In this seventieth anniversary year of the United Nations, establishing the truth of what happened on that fateful night would be a fitting tribute to the former Secretary-General and all those who lost their lives on a mission of peace.

Dag Hammarskjöld left many tools for the United Nations to advance our mission for peace, development and human rights around the globe.  I often think of the tool that he kept over his fireplace — a gift from a mountain climber who had conquered Mount Everest.  It was a climber’s pick with an eight-word inscription:  “So you may climb to even greater heights”.

Let those words also be our guide as we strive to reach a better world for all.  I thank you for your participation.