Ambassador Tanin of Afghanistan,

Ambassador Khazaee of Iran,

Ambassador Aslov of Tajikistan,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It's a great pleasure for me to participate in this special commemoration. Let me welcome to the United Nations all the distinguished scholars and artists who have come here to share your wisdom and talent with us. I am grateful to our hosts, the Permanent Representatives of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran, for organizing this meaningful gathering.

The fact that we are all here today, eleven and a half centuries after his death, speaks volumes about the enduring influence of Abu Abdullah Jafar ibn Mohammad Rudaki. How fitting that the United Nations, which stands for peace, development and human rights, should commemorate the life of this poet, who so beautifully extolled the virtues of good and justice.

With simplicity and elegance, Rudaki pioneered a great tradition, laying the foundation for Persian classical literature. He took poetry from the realm of the abstract into contemporary life. And in the process, he shed new philosophical light on society. Rudaki is truly the “Sultan of Poets.”

Here at the United Nations, we are often so caught up in the day-to-day challenge of confronting crises that we rarely have the chance to reflect on the larger meaning of our work. Today's commemoration reminds us, through music, poetry and song, of the values that underpin all of our activities worldwide.

This is all the more important as the UN strives to bridge the divides that separate cultures and nations. Rudaki's timeless and profound writings provide an inspiration for the Alliance of Civilizations, our initiative to counter extremism and heal the divisions that threaten our world.

All of you here today are contributing to our broader cause of promoting tolerance across cultures. As Secretary-General, I feel humbled to be surrounded by such eminent scholars. I cede the floor to you with a pledge to carry the spirit of Rudaki's poetry in my heart, as I work on behalf of the United Nations in pursuit of our shared goals.

Thank you very much.