Commemorative ceremony to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War

– As delivered –

Statement by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72^nd Session of the UN General Assembly, at Commemorative Ceremony to Mark the Centenary of the End of the First World War

100 years ago the whole world was shocked. Struck by a global war. In complete and utter disbelief of what mankind had been able to do. Millions of people were killed. Both soldiers and innocent civilians. Dead from bullets or starvation. This account is even more disgraceful with the first ever large-scale use of chemical weapons.

Millions were there. In trenches. On battlefields. But there is no one left to tell his or her story. The last living veteran passed away 6 years ago. We have no other option but to rely on history. Testimonies. Personal accounts recorded in notes, books or postcards. In poems or music. In archives and textbooks.

And we have to preserve all of them for future generations. We need to teach our children about the horrors of that war. And, we here – at the United Nations – must be one of the loudest voices in doing so. In this effort we need to be credible. Which means, that everyone outside this building must believe us. Which essentially means, that we have to persuade them, that we have learned our lessons. Lessons of why the First World War started? Why did it take 4 years, 3 months and 2 weeks to end it? And most importantly, why were we not able to prevent what happened 21 years later?

The first lesson our predecessors have learned was an absence of a global platform. Thus, the League of Nations was founded in 1920. However, this very first intergovernmental organization of its kind lacked inclusiveness and universality. Diplomacy was eventually bypassed by military advances.

Today, in 2018, we stand here at the entrance to the building of United Nations. We have brought the vision of our predecessors to life. The most inclusive system of global institutions. The Charter everyone vows to respect, time and again. And somehow, despite all these achievements, we are concerned, and unfortunately, rightly so.

The world is watching. It is unprecedently interconnected. People follow all our action, as well as inaction. People carefully study our words. And interpret them, as well as misinterpret them. We have a huge responsibility, because history will judge us too. And the best possible verdict will be made in times of peace. In times of sustaining peace.

Tomorrow we will continue in our interactive exchange. I am determined to make use of these two days to shape the guidance for our future generations. And for us. And once again I would reiterate my call, that multilateralism is the way to avoid another world war, and to bring us closer to realizing the aims of the UN Charter. Because based on all facts, logic and reason, we have no other option, but to strive for peace and decent life for all on a sustainable planet.