Remarks of the Secretary-General upon arrival in Guayaquil

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for those kind words about the United Nations and my own modest efforts. You have spoken as a true citizen of the world, and while you are a Mayor, you have shown an awareness of the global perspective.

Citizens of Guayaquil,

My dear friends,

I am very pleased to see so many of you here –particular young students, the leaders of tomorrow. (Applause) I hope they will stay engaged, and that you will encourage them to do so. (Applause and cheering). I take that as a yes!

You have truly honoured my wife and me with this warm reception. This is our very first experience of your city and your country, but we can already sense that we are going to feel at home here!

Guayaquil has a very special place in the geography and history of Ecuador, and in the minds of people everywhere. Your city is legendary as the venue for the only meeting between the two liberators of South America, Simón Bolivar and José de San Martín.

Today, Guyaquil is not only the largest city in Ecuador. It is known and respected all over the world for its visionary planning, its vibrant economy and its key location as a gateway to all Ecuador.

Modern Guayaquil gives new life and meaning to the words of one of its most famous sons, José Joaquín de Olmedo, who spoke of “the imposing pyramids that daring human art would lift to the heavens, to speak to centuries and nations”.

Today, as citizens of Guayaquil, and like other city-dwellers around the world, you represent the future of humanity. More than half of humankind now lives in cities. That is more than three billion people. Cities are cross-roads of ideas and innovation. At their best, they can serve as models of democracy, diversity and multi-cultural living. It is from the life of the city, since ancient times, that we derive the notion of citizenship -- and indeed civilization.

And it is on the character of its citizens that the future of any city depends. You, the people of Guayaquil, can take pride in the example you are setting for the citizens of the rest of world.

I am deeply grateful to you, Mr. Mayor, and to all the people of this city -- rightly known as the Pearl of the Pacific -- for welcoming me so graciously to my first port of call in Ecuador.

Muchas gracias amigos.