Peace and Security

It is a pleasure to be visiting Denmark, a very good friend of the United Nations and a strong supporter of international cooperation.
 
The Prime Minister and I had productive discussions on a wide range of challenges, but of course the climate crisis was high on the agenda.
 
I had the occasion to thank Denmark for hosting today’s gathering of mayors from 70 of the world’s leading cities, known as C40, an important follow-up o the Climate Action Summit that was convened in New York just two weeks ago. 
 

[Scroll down for bilingual, as delivered]

This very beautiful monument of a great artist, Amin Gulgee, will remain forever in the UN premises, in New York, and when we see those hands pointing to the sky, but also those hands united, they represent, I believe, a symbol of hope and a symbol of solidarity.
 

This is clearly the happiest moment I have in this High-level week.
 
If one year ago, we would be forecasting the possibility of this meeting, I think nobody would believe [it], but the fact is that we are here, and we are here celebrating a new Sudan.
 
I have a special emotional relationship with the people of Sudan.
 
Sudan was the first country in which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has established an operation, an active operation, many decades ago.  I was located there.
 

The United Nations Charter sends a clear message to us all: put people first.
 
The first words of the Charter -- “we the peoples” – are a summons to place people at the centre of our work.
 
Every day.  Everywhere.
 
People with anxieties and aspirations. 
 
People with heartbreaks and hopes.
 
Above all, people with rights.

I am pleased to announce the agreement of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Syrian Negotiations Commission for a credible, balanced and inclusive Constitutional Committee that will be facilitated by the United Nations in Geneva. I welcome the progress made by the Government and the opposition. My Special Envoy facilitated the agreement in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) and will convene the Constitutional Committee in the coming weeks.
 

[off mic] …with a very distinguished group of young people on the International Day of Peace. 
 
We usually look at peace from the point of view of the conflicts between human beings.  Peace is not only the absence of war; it is the creation of the conditions of harmony in the way people live with each other to allow for conflicts not to exist.  But today, we have a special Peace Day, because it is not only about peace among people, it is also about peace between people and nature.  Peace between people and the planet. 
 

It is not by chance that this event started with music.  Music is a universal language, and music is the best tool we have to promote peace. 
 
I am deeply grateful for the fantastic work that our two Messengers for Peace do, because what they represent is extremely important for us. 
 
Of course we are use to seeing them receiving standing ovations in fantastic performances in great music rooms around the world. 
 

I am pleased to be with you for the closing of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
 
Here, in this prestigious chamber, and in the building’s many conference rooms, you discuss, daily, humanity’s most pressing issues.
 
In our fast-changing world, these issues are increasingly interlinked. 
 
From the climate crisis to migration flows and rising inequality, from waves of intolerance to harnessing technology for good, one thing is certain: global issues require global solutions. 
 

Today we remember my predecessor, Dag Hammarskjöld, and pay tribute to his life and his supreme sacrifice.

Around the world, Dag Hammarskjöld is rightly revered for his achievements, his dedication and his values.

He shaped the United Nations into an active force in making and keeping peace. He skillfully created and seized opportunities.

He bravely put himself forward for the most difficult challenges.  

And he died while he was deeply involved in peace negotiations in the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo.