United Nations A Time for Renewal

Media Advisory United Nations 60th anniversary Update on Celebratory Events and Publications June 2005

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San Francisco

Celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter and the founding of the Organization will begin this weekend in San Francisco. The events are organized by the UN Association in San Francisco in cooperation with civil society partners. The major events for the UN60 Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, 2005, at various venues on Nob Hill. The theme of this celebration is “Enhancing the Vital Role of the United Nations”.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan will be represented by Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, who will be speaking at this programme. A video tape message from the Secretary-General will be played at the event. More than 60 world leaders are expected to attend the event.

Please contact the UN60 Project Director, Sherri Ferris, President of Protocol Professionals, Inc., via phone 415.673.5311, fax: 415.673.5380 or email: sherri@protocolprofessionals.com.

United Nations Headquarters, New York

On 26 June, the Department of Public Information Guided Tours Unit will offer tours at Headquarters free of charge. This promotion will provide an opportunity to highlight the 60th anniversary and target New Yorkers as well as visitors to New York City. For more information, please contact: Way Gomez, Public Relations Section, tel: 1 212-963-7721, fax: 1 212-963-0071, e-mail: GOMEZL@un.org; or e-mail: toursunhq@un.org or visit www.un.org/tours. See Note to Correspondents No: 5944, dated 2 June 2005

A commemorative ceremony will take place in the General Assembly Hall on Monday 27 June 2005. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. The President of the General assembly and the Secretary-General will address the Assembly. The United Nations tour guides will read the Preamble of the Charter and the United Nations Singers will perform. Seating in the GA Hall will be based on the usual pattern for Members States. Fourth Floor balcony seating will be provided for staff members ion a first-come, first-serve basis.

Also on Monday 27 June, the Secretary-General will formally open a historical photographic exhibition entitled “The Founding of the United Nations” . The retrospective exhibition will feature archival photographs from the UN Photo Library on the founding years of the United Nations and highlights of the Organization’s 60year history. The exhibition is sponsored by the Hewlett -Packard Corporation. For details, contact: Jan Arnesen of the Exhibits Unit, Outreach Division DPI at Ext: 1 212 963 8531

United Nations Office in Geneva

On 27 June, there will be an evening of classical music performed by the Kayaleh Chamber Orchestra.

Also on 27 June, an international exhibition of contemporary art devoted to the fundamental values of peace and development will be formally opened in the Palais de Nacions in Geneva. More than 60 permanent Missions have selected a piece of original art representative of its country and culture. The artwork will be on display until October 2005.

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