Welcome to the United Nations. It's your world.

• Home
• About
  • Biography
  • The role of the Secretary-General
  • Appointment process
• Mission
  • Vision and priorities
  • Ethical Standards
  • Transparency (public disclosure)
• The Team
  • Deputy Secretary-General
  • Senior Management Group
  • Special Representatives and envoys
  • High-Level Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda
  • Senior Level Vacancies
• Daily Agenda
  • Public schedule
  • Travel
  • Bilateral meetings (readouts)
• Speeches/reports
  • All speeches
  • Selected speeches
    (2006 – 2011)
  • Reports on the work of the Organization
  • Reports to the Security Council
  • Reports to the General Assembly
  • Reports to the ECOSOC
• Media
  • Spokesperson's Office
  • Press encounters
  • Press conferences
  • Statements attributable to the Spokesperson
  • Notes to correspondents
  • Press Articles/op-eds
  • Press releases
  • Photos
  • Videos

Latest Statements

Geneva, Switzerland, 7 December 2011 - Secretary-General's video message on the 60th Anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 50th Anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness

Distinguished heads of State and government, Esteemed ministers, High Commissioner António Guterres, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

Today we celebrate two treaties that have helped millions of people around the world.

People forced to flee disasters, war and persecution.

People struggling to survive and rescue their children.

People who crossed borders with nothing, except the dream of a safer future.

These life-saving treaties are based on a simple principle, which is as true today as ever:

The principle that people should never be forced into harm's way.

Today you have a chance to help us reduce statelessness, and assist refugees.

Today you can pledge your support for UNHCR.

Your contributions will help people far from their home countries, struggling against injustice, marginalization and fear.

You can also pledge more than funds. You can commit your solidarity for all refugees in our world.

Earlier this year, I was in Oslo to celebrate the life of Fridtjof Nansen. He was the father of international refugee relief, the first High Commissioner of Refugees at the League of Nations.

Nansen once said that helping people return home is more important for peace than many political moves.

I have seen the truth of these words.

Help refugees. Contribute to peace.

Thank you.

---

Statements on 7 December 2011