Opening remarks for launch of book tribute to Sergio Vieira de Mello

Ladies and Gentlemen
Dear Friends and Colleagues:

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations to launch – in Geneva – this tribute to our friend and colleague, Sergio Vieira de Mello. I am glad to see so many friends of Sergio here.

Sergio believed in and strived to ensure the security of each individual – human security. He also recognized that state and human security are two sides of the same coin, so to speak. He therefore worked – together with national Governments, international organizations and civil society – to establish viable and sustainable state institutions that could guarantee the rights of the individual, protect them from crime, violence and aggression and provide a framework for development.

In his commitment to serving the peoples of the world and in his dedication to protecting the most vulnerable, Sergio was an example to us all. His professionalism and integrity set the highest standards for United Nations staff members. His particular blend of idealism and realism continues to inspire us. Sergio’s compassion and courage made an impression on all that he met – from Heads of State and Government to the people he talked to in the many missions he took part in across the globe. In the world of international diplomacy that is often marked by formality, everybody was on first-name terms with Sergio. This says a great deal about his impact and his ability to connect with people.

As the Secretary-General says in his foreword to the book, Sergio “sought to ensure that the United Nations was not simply implementing projects, but helping to build the basis for good governance and long-term peace”.

Through his concrete efforts and his vision Sergio enriched this Organization and made a difference to so many people’s lives. It is by continuing his efforts to serve those that need us the most and by striving to implement his vision of human security that we pay the most fitting tribute to him. This book – and our discussions today – are part of our efforts to do that.

Thank you.