Secretary-General, at Concert for Understanding of Civilization and Human Rights, Says Unity ‘Melts Away Divisions and Everything Is Possible’

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the Concert for the Understanding of Civilizations and Human Rights, in Geneva today:

Good evening.  It is a pleasure to be with you for what will no doubt be a memorable concert.  I thank ONUART and the Peruvian Mission for organizing this meaningful event this evening.  I thank Maestro Daniel Barenboim, UN Messenger of Peace, and all the performers for making this event possible.

This room is a fitting venue for a concert devoted to mutual respect and understanding, as it is where Member States come together to discuss human rights.  This evening, we can reflect on what more we can do to advance human rights and human dignity.  And we can be inspired by a performance that embodies the spirit of peace.

With armed conflict spreading across the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Yemen, and with yet another round of Israeli-Palestinian hostilities, it is heartening to see young Israeli and Arab musicians replacing the noise of violence with sounds of harmony.  People on both sides yearn for peace.  I saw this during my emergency visit to the region earlier this month, last week.  I went because I was alarmed by the upsurge in killings and felt it was my duty to try to help reduce the tensions.

I met political leaders, as well as victims of violence on both sides, who told me their heart-breaking stories.  The senseless violence has touched the full spectrum of society:  men and women, young and old.  It has created widows and orphans, and extinguished the dreams of too many at the outset of their lives.

I continue to call on political, religious and community leaders on all sides to promote reconciliation and avoid inflammatory remarks and rhetoric.  Let us enable people across the region and around the world to enjoy lasting peace.

This concert is a wonderful way to mark the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations.  Last Saturday, on United Nations Day, 24 October, we turned the world blue — UN Blue — at more than 350 landmarks in 85 countries.  The Sydney Opera House, the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids in Egypt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, South Africa’s Table Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro were all part of the display.  And of course, so was the Jet d’Eau right here in Geneva.

The United Nations at 70 can look back at a solid record of achievement.  Every day, we make a positive difference for millions of people.  Yet conflict, poverty, discrimination and displacement plague too many lives.  There is still a long distance to travel to fulfil the Charter’s vision of a world of safety and dignity for all.

I have seen in my life how the United Nations can help a country leave war behind and transform itself for the better.  Today, we have an inspiring new plan to guide us, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a promise to end poverty and to promote shared prosperity on a healthy planet.  We have a lot of hard work ahead of us.  But, when we work together, when we are united, divisions melt away and everything is possible.

The example set by the West Eastern Divan Orchestra is precious indeed.  Let us, first of all, all enjoy the concert.  And let us all then work together in the same spirit of fraternity to meet today’s tests and build a better future for all.