Dag Hammarskjöld’s Insights Have Stood Test of Time, His Legacy Is Timeless, Says Secretary-General at Wreath-Laying Ceremony

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the sixty-first anniversary of the death of former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, today:

We come together to honour the life of Dag Hammarskjöld, 61 years after his tragic death.  We remember a man of extraordinary wisdom and modesty; enormous courage and curiosity; unshakable integrity and selfless devotion to duty.

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of paying my respects at his gravesite in Uppsala, Sweden — and I was reminded yet again of his service and sacrifice for the shared values we hold dear.

Dag Hammarskjöld’s legacy shapes our United Nations to this day — as a force for peace, an impartial broker, a guardian of human rights, and a beacon of hope.  His insights have stood the test of time — and his legacy is timeless.

Many years ago, he said — and I quote:  “Our world of today is more than ever before, one world.  The weakness of one is the weakness of all, and the strength of one is the strength of all.”

As we look ahead to a new session of the General Assembly, let us draw inspiration from Dag Hammarskjöld’s life and work.  Let us find strength in our common humanity and together confront the challenges of our troubled world.

I would like to ask all of you to join me in a moment of silence.