Secretary-General, on 70th Anniversary of United Nations Guided Tours, Spotlights Vital Role Ambassadors to Public Play in Educating, Inspiring about Organization’s Mission

Following are UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ remarks at the seventieth anniversary of United Nations Guided Tours, as delivered by the Deputy Secretary-General, today in New York:

For seven decades, our multilingual tour guides have been the face and voice of the United Nations to over 42 million visitors from around the world.  We celebrate their seventieth anniversary and honour their vital mission.

Our guides play a pivotal role in providing timely and accurate information about the priorities and activities of the United Nations.  Often the first — and only — United Nations staff member that a visitor will ever meet.  Tour guides are our ambassadors to the public.

They inspire, educate, and engage people from every corner of the world — covering history, architecture, art, diplomacy — as they share the story of what the United Nations does and why it matters.  They find diplomatic and thoughtful answers to even the thorniest questions — and they do so with tact and a smile.

To our guides, past, present and future:  Happy anniversary — and thank you from all your colleagues at the United Nations.