A Conversation with Sir Brian Urquhart
Sir Brian Urquhart occupies a special place in UN history by playing a critical role in the development of United Nations peacekeeping and conflict resolution concepts.
UN Photo
Sir Brian Urquhart, photographed as Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs in 1984.
Throughout his four decades of service to the United Nations, starting as one of its very first staff members and ending as an Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, Brian Urquhart has helped shape history-making moments. He was present for the birth of the United Nations in 1945, and was witness to many of the Organization's - and the world's - seminal milestones.
As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a tribute message on the occasion of Sir Brian's 90th birthday four years ago, "You have had an enormous influence on every Secretary-General. Even today, staffers everywhere seek to live up to your example. And you remain one of our wisest and staunchest advocates."
This two-part multimedia story, prepared by the United Nations News Centre, is available online.
In his role as Secretary to the General Assembly's Negotiating Committee for Extra-Budgetary Funds, Sir Brian (seated far left) takes part in a meeting on the financial situation of the UN Korean Reconstruction Agency. Seated near him is Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld (second from right). (15 February 1955) UN Photo/AF
Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld (second from right) holds an informal conference with some high officials of his Executive Office. Amongst those taking part is Sir Brian Urquhart (right), in his role as Secretary of the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy. (12 April 1955)
Major General E.L.M. Burns of Canada - the head of the UN Emergency International Force which was set up in relation to the Suez Crisis - holds a meeting with military representatives from various nations at UN Headquarters concerning the organization of the force. Those present include Sir Brian Urquhart on behalf of the Secretary-General's office. (16 November 1956)
On a visit to the Middle East to meet with the leaders of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Jordan, Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim addresses staff at the UN Development Programme office in Amman, Jordan. At Mr. Waldheim's left is the Assistant Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, Brian Urquhart. (3 September 1973) UN Photo/G. Nehmeh
On a visit to Egypt In his role as the Assistant Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, Brian Urquhart (second from left), confers with senior officers from the UN Emergency Force in Suez City. (13 January 1974) UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata
In the Syrian capital of Damascus, Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim and the-then Assistant Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, Sir Brian Urquhart, take part in a group with colleagues from the UN Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine (UNTSO). (28 August 1973) UN Photo/George Nehmeh
In Jerusalem as part of a Middle East visit, and accompanied by the Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, Sir Brian Urquhart (third from left) and others, Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, pays a courtesy call on the President of Israel, Ephraim Katzir. (5 June 1974) UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata
During a brief visit to the Middle East to discuss with the implementation of a Security Council resolution, Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim holds talks with Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin. Seated to his right is Sir Brian Urquhart, then serving as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs. (18 April 1978) UN Photo/John Isaac
Serving as the Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, Sir Brian Urquhart (left), accompanied Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar on an official visit to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Here, Mr. Perez de Cuellar and Sir Brian meet with Jordan's King Hussein in Amman. (11 June 1984) UN Photo/John Isaac
Secretary-General Kofi Annan (right) meets with Sir Brian Urquhart. (4 April 2002) UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Sir Brian Urquhart listen as Secretary-General Kofi Annan speaks at the first in a series of lectures and conversations - entitled 'Dag Hammarskjöld's Legacy and its Relevance to the UN Today" - to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the world body's second leader. (4 April 2005) UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Ahead of a Security Council meeting on its role in the pacific settlement of disputes, Council members heard from Secretary-General Kofi Annan and three eminent persons - one of those was Sir Brian Urquhart, seen here delivering his speech. (13 May 2003) UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) shakes hands with Sir Brian Urquhart at a special dedication ceremony of the 'Brian Urquhart Room,' at UN Headquarters in New York City. (12 March 2009) UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Ari Gaitanis of the UN News Centre listens as Sir Brian Urquhart shares his experiences and views during an interview. (16 September 2011) UN Photo/Mark Garten
Sir Brian Urquhart. (16 September 2011) UN Photo/Mark Garten
Following his interview with the UN News Centre, Sir Brian Urquhart is stopped by a member of the UN press corps for some questions. (16 September 2011) UN Photo/A. Gaitanis
Accompanied by the Editor of the UN News Centre, Ari Gaitanis (right), Sir Brian Urquhart is walked through the UN Headquarters complex, which was still-under renovations at the time. (16 September 2011) UN Photo/J. Jiji
