I thank the General Assembly for taking time this morning to pay our respects to His Excellency Ambassador Mårten Grunditz of Sweden.

Ambassador Grunditz had a distinguished diplomatic career, with postings in Moscow, Beijing, Washington and other capitals.

The geographic reach of his assignments was matched by the depth of his conviction to international cooperation and the United Nations.

During the four-and-a-half years that he served as Sweden’s Permanent Representative here in New York, he was an active presence across our agenda.

I am especially grateful for his advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities, his dedication to helping to consolidate peace in Liberia, and his devotion to carrying on the legacy of former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld.

He was known – and will be remembered – for his warmth, kindness, integrity and dignity.  I thank the General Assembly for taking time this morning to remember a good colleague.  And I offer my deep condolences to Ambassador Grunditz’s family, Mrs. Grunditz and his two children, many friends and to his colleagues in the Swedish foreign ministry and to all others touched by this loss.

Thank you.