Deputy Secretary‑General Tells Staff ‘Dig Deeper’ to Serve Humanity with Passion, Unwavering Commitment, in Message for United Nations Day

Following are UN Deputy Secretary‑General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the staff ceremony to mark United Nations Day:

Happy United Nations Day.  Thank you, Bibi and the United Nations Staff Union, for convening this important ceremony.  We will soon hear a recitation of the preamble of our Charter.  Those words provide inspiration and a call to service as we face the challenges of our day.  We need that more than ever.

As the Secretary‑General has said, our world is a messy place.  We see rising tensions over nuclear weapons, growing intolerance and escalating impacts of climate change.  All exacerbating poverty and conflicts affecting millions of people.  But, I have hope in our humanity.

My hope is anchored in two things.  First, it is in on our DNA.  In the words of our Charter, in the universal values of our institution, and in the mission of our organization to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights.  These are the three strands of our DNA.  The second thing that gives me hope is who we are.  In other words, that is all of you, our valued asset base.

The women and men of the United Nations working around the world and around the clock to give those words real meaning.  To make a real difference in people’s lives and to leave no one behind.

Yes, we all know the challenges.  We know the limitations.  But, you get up each and every day to inch our world closer to peace and justice and dignity for all.  Your work is to close the gap between our reality and the aspirations of 7.6 billion people.

So, today is a day for gratitude.  I am thankful for our Charter.  I am thankful to all of you for all you do on behalf of “We the Peoples” to build a better world.  But, also to those who paid the ultimate price in sacrificing their lives for the work that we do.

Like Olivia Twist I ask for more, to dig deeper to do what you do best, serving humanity with passion and unwavering commitment.

I thank you and God bless the United Nations.