It is pleasure to greet all the participants in this youth camp organized by the World Federation of UN Associations.  I thank WFUNA for being such a strong ally of the United Nations, as well as our good friends at Kyunghee University for hosting this gathering. 

As the United Nations this year marks its 70th anniversary, we know there is still a great distance to go in realizing the vision set out in our founding Charter.  At the same time, we can look back on a proven record of fostering peace, alleviating hunger and poverty, safeguarding human rights and providing relief in the aftermath of disasters. 

I have seen in my own life the difference the United Nations can make. When I was six years old, the Korean War forced my family to flee our village. We survived thanks to United Nations operations providing food, medicine and security, and we took heart from knowing that the world cared.

Today, the United Nations is mobilizing countries to address conflicts and other immediate crises while striving to secure our long-term future by forging a new vision for sustainable development as well as a universal climate agreement.

Through your participation in this youth camp, you are demonstrating a commitment to live as global citizens.  I especially welcome your focus on human rights at a time when the world is facing rising extremism, growing inequality, persistent violence against women and other serious violations of human dignity.

I will look to you to help the United Nations across the three pillars of the Organization’s work: peace, development and human rights.  Thank you for your engagement and please accept my best wishes for a rewarding experience.