UN role and reform

I join with the General Assembly to convey my deep sorrow for the loss of His Excellency Mr.  Girma Asmerom Tesfay who passed away on 5 October in New York.

I express my personal deep condolences -- as well as the condolences of the United Nations system -- to his family, to His Excellency Isaias Afwerki, President of the State of Eritrea, and to the Eritrean people. 

Ambassador Girma presented his credentials as Permanent Representative of the State of Eritrea to the United Nations on 23 April 2014. 

Your Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States,

Since the founding of our respective organizations in 1945, the League of Arab States has been a valued partner of the United Nations. 

Today, we sign a Protocol of Amendment to invigorate and enhance our cooperation. 

I am proud of the step we are taking today and all of our work together over my last ten years as Secretary-General. 

Your Excellency, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, 
Your Excellency, Ms. Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations,

I am delighted to join you today in this beautiful lounge – a generous gift of Qatar.

We opened it three years ago together. Ever since then, it has become a favourite spot at the United Nations.

We have had many meaningful events here. Shukran jazeelan. Thank you very much.

Excellencies,

This lunch is unique.  At no other time, in no other place, do so many world leaders break bread together.

And this year is unique.  Never before have a President of the United States and a Secretary-General of the United Nations completed their terms at about the same time – within just twenty days of each other.

Mr. President, we need to find something to do. 

I challenge you to a round of golf!  But please don’t challenge me to a game of basketball!

I am pleased to join all of you this morning.  

We are beginning perhaps the most hectic period of the year.  A new session of the General Assembly is upon us.  Leaders from around the world are on their way.  Our agendas are overflowing with meetings and summits and events. 

I can think of no better way to gather strength for this nonstop frenzy than by looking forward together with quiet humility and shared faith in humanity.

We have major challenges before us – conflict, division, insecurity.

I am honoured to join you as we remember the life of Dag Hammarskjöld 
55 years after his death.

Together, we salute his sacrifice and celebrate his extraordinary achievements. 

On this occasion, I also renew my call to the General Assembly to appoint an Eminent Person or Persons to review new information which may exist regarding the circumstances around his death and the loss of 15 others on their mission of peace. 

All these decades after Dag Hammarskjold’s death, we remain just as inspired by his actions and his words of wisdom.

Your Excellency Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam, President of Singapore,
Your Excellency Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister,
Honourable Madam Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament,
Distinguished Ministers,
Mr. Wong Ngit Liong, Chairman of the National University of Singapore,
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, President of NUS,
Distinsguished Faculty,
Dear Students,

Thank you for the honour you have just bestowed on me.