Statement at the Peace Bell Ceremony in the Japanese Gardens

New York – 6 May 2015

Excellencies,
Mr. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you for this ceremony, marking the return of the Peace Bell to the Japanese Gardens.

Since being donated by the Government of Japan in 1954, this bell has served as a symbol of peace and goodwill on the grounds of the United Nations. It is both unique and emblematic, having been cast using coins collected by the United Nations Association of Japan from children of all existing UN Member States in 1952.

Since then, the bell has represented the universality of the United Nations and the collective wish of all Member States to live in a world free from the scourge of war.

Today, as we return this prominent icon of peace to its permanent location, let us recall the Declaration on the Rights of Peoples to Peace, adopted thirty years ago by the General Assembly.

The Declaration reaffirmed that the aspiration for peace is universal among all peoples and that every human being has the right to live in a peaceful environment.

Each time we ring this bell in the future, we should recall our commitment towards the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the building of lasting peace.

I thank you for your attention and express my appreciation to the Government of Japan for this symbolic gift that I know we will all admire here in these gardens for many years to come.