Director-General's remarks at the UNOG-ONUArt Human Rights Day Concert

UNOG-ONUArt Human Rights Day Concert
Saturday, 14 December 2024 at 5.00 p.m.
Room XX, Palais des Nations

Excellencies,  
Ladies and gentlemen, 
Dear friends,  

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 11th World Concert for Human Rights, an annual celebration of Human Rights Day here at the Palais des Nations. I extend my sincere appreciation to ONUART and its new President, Mr José Luis Bonet, for organizing this concert, a cherished tradition in Geneva.

Human Rights Day gives us pause to consider the relevance of human rights in our lives. Human rights impact all of us, every day. They are not abstract ideas; they offer protection and ensure that everyone, everywhere, can live in dignity and respect.

This year the United Nations marks Human Rights Day with the theme of “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.” This reflects the fact that human rights are fundamental to building a better future for all. They play a critical role as a preventive, protective and transformative force for good. As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has previously said, “Human rights are the foundation for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.” In a turbulent world, in which we face escalating and severe global challenges such as climate change, threats to peace and security, rising inequalities, and more, this sentiment could not be more relevant.

And with multilateralism under fire, the very adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 76 years ago reminds us of the values that bind us together as a global community and what we can achieve when we act in the spirit of unity and solidarity. The rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are as important as ever, yet are still threatened around the world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This evening, it is an honour to welcome back to the Palais des Nations world-renowned pianist Maestro Grigory Sokolov. Music has the power to bring people together and transcend barriers. Like human rights, music reflects our shared humanity.

As you enjoy what I am sure will be an impressive performance, I invite you to reflect on how we, together, can better understand each other, unite as human beings, and mobilize for human rights.

Human rights empower us and our communities to build a fairer world and a better tomorrow. Let’s start today.

I wish you all a wonderful evening. Thank you.