Secretary-General's remarks at press conference introducing Stevie Wonder as a UN Messenger of Peace

Mr. Akasaka,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my great pleasure to introduce Stevie Wonder, our new United Nations Messenger of Peace.

We all know Stevie Wonder is a musical genius whose songs have given pleasure and hope to millions of people around the world. He's also a great humanitarian, who has campaigned against apartheid, for children in need, and for persons with disabilities.

We're very lucky to have him join our fight for disability rights. All of us at the United Nations look forward to working with Stevie Wonder.

Today is the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. An estimated one person in four around the world is affected by disability, which can touch any of us at any time in our lives.

Working with Stevie Wonder, the UN can -- as he once put it –reach the highest ground.

I must confess that I would also like him to help us at the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen. His song, “Signed, sealed, delivered” would be the perfect soundtrack for the negotiators working to Seal the Deal in Copenhagen. And we discussed this matter –I am very grateful to Stevie Wonder that he is willing to work for us.

But seriously, we thank Stevie Wonder for his engagement, for his support of the United Nations, and for being such an inspiring human being.

I'd now like to call on Ambassador Susan Rice to say a few words.