Ambassador Sharma,
Doctor Banerjee,
Distinguished guests,
Friends,

The book we are launching today covers an important subject.

The international civil service can certainly be difficult to deal with as a topic.

But let me assure you: Dealing with real UN staff members is inspiring.

I am constantly impressed by the dedication of the men and women of the United Nations. They possess remarkable skills and expertise and a strong commitment to the global common good.

Many work without hesitation in some of the world's most blighted and dangerous places, far from their families and material comforts. They do this because they, like their colleagues at less perilous duty stations, are committed to helping suffering people throughout the world.

That is why, as Secretary-General, I have tried to do my utmost to ensure that the Organization is an effective instrument of service to humankind. And that is why I have also sought to improve training, working conditions and career opportunities for the men and women who serve. It is staff, above all, who know the flaws and weaknesses of our systems. It is they, above all, who want progress so that we can succeed in our work.

The United Nations learned a long time ago to take a “people-centred” approach to development. And although it might seem obvious, we should also take a “people-centred” approach to human resources management.

Statistics and theories are useful, but at the end of the day, personnel policies are about individuals. That is our approach as we seek to enable our staff to do their part in addressing global challenges, from climate change to conflict prevention and across our agenda.

This is a priority issue for me. So I look forward to reading this book. I understand that, as with their last work on the United Nations, the authors have thoroughly researched their topic.

We shall keep their views in mind as we continue our efforts to strengthen the Organization. Above all, we shall keep in mind the need to create the conditions in which our staff can continue to make their contributions to our global mission.

Thank you.