Secretary-General, at New Premises in Montenegro, Says Facility Will Reflect

United Nations Priorities of Sustainability, ‘Delivering as One’

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks during his tour of the future United Nations common premises in Podgorica, Montenegro, on 22 July:

I am delighted to be with you today.  I have just arrived from Croatia as part of a visit to all parts of the former Yugoslavia.

The region has suffered great trials and trauma, which we all know so well.  But the focus of my journey is not on the past — even though we must acknowledge it — but the future.  So it is appropriate that my first destination in Montenegro should be the site of the future common United Nations premises in Podgorica.

This new United Nations eco-building will reflect two United Nations priorities:  first, it will be energy-efficient, carbon-neutral, sustainable; second, it will provide common premises for all five United Nations organizations operating in Montenegro so they can “Deliver as One”.

I thank the Government of Montenegro for its significant financial support in realizing this project.  The country is committed both to United Nations reform and to being an ecological state — this is in the country’s Constitution.  The city of Podgorica, too, has been generous in providing this wonderful site and waiving all taxes and connection fees.  And the Austrian Development Agency has been instrumental — providing funding and supporting the competition for the design of this cutting-edge facility.

The new United Nations Shared Eco Premises will use solar panels floating above the roof slab for shade while providing enough energy to meet the building’s annual energy demands.  Water from the River Morača will be used to cool the building in summer and heat it in the winter, aided by a solar-powered heat pump.  And the perforated roof slab will provide natural light and ventilation.

I think the United Nations 60 staff in Montenegro will have a wonderful new base to Deliver as One for the benefit of the people of Montenegro.

I thank you for the opportunity to visit.

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For information media • not an official record