UNOG Library Talk: “Reflections at the United Nations” by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Mr. Tokayev
Ambassador Fasel
Distinguished Ambassadors
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It really is a great pleasure to welcome you all for this truly unique book launch. It is hard to imagine a more fitting event for a UNOG Library Talk than the launch of a book of reflections at and about the United Nations by a former Director-General.

First of all, a very warm welcome back to Mr. Tokayev. And I can see by the presence of colleagues and friends here that we are many who welcome him back. Appreciation for the unwavering support of the Host Country is highlighted in many of Mr. Tokayev’s speeches, and I therefore greatly appreciate that Ambassador Fasel can be with us – not least because he also features prominently in the book!

It is a privilege, of course, to host Mr. Tokayev here in the Kazakh Room, which he was so closely involved in getting refurbished as a contribution to the overall renovation and modernization of the Palais des Nations. Mr. Tokayev left an important mark on the work of the United Nations here in Geneva – and the Kazakh Room is a very visible manifestation of this. And it was a gift to the United Nations that was very much in his spirit and manner of doing things: practical, effective and focused on lasting results. This focus on practical solutions that will stand the test of time is also very much evident in this book of speeches and articles from when he served as Director-General of UNOG and Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament.

These texts really bring together all aspects of the incredible work that is undertaken collectively here in International Geneva on peace, rights and well-being. All presented by a firm believer in the value of the new global governance that is the hallmark of International Geneva. In an op ed in Le Temps published last year, he noted that the governance that is practiced here is not always the sort that grabs headlines, but it is the sort that changes lives. This is, of course, an assessment that I can only agree with, and I have made it my priority to help grab the headlines with the undisputed impact of the global governance model of International Geneva.

But beyond the importance of International Geneva, the speeches include sophisticated analysis of current trends in international politics, all grounded in a keen understanding of the dynamic interplay between political and economic developments. It is difficult not to be impressed by the facts and figures that are always at the heart of the arguments. Just as it is difficult not to be impressed by the linguistic talent – with speeches in English, French, Russian and Chinese, all in the same volume. Also in that sense, this is very much a United Nations book.

It will not come as a surprise that the speeches on disarmament are among my favourites. Mr. Tokayev and I share a strong commitment to multilateral disarmament. And we also share a great deal of frustration when it comes to the current impasse in the Conference on Disarmament, which should be the international community’s pre-eminent forum for disarmament negotiations. Many of the speeches are a very passionate but also a pragmatic and politically realistic call for progress in the CD and across the disarmament agenda. And I do hope that these speeches will be widely read.
Many of the speeches revolve around the theme of change, but often placed in a historical perspective. They encourage us to consider current events in a broader timeframe to fully appreciate the importance and impact of events and trends. In a reality where we often look only at today’s headlines – without considering the wider context and the longer-term implications of initiatives – I think it is critical that we anchor the political analysis of our world in such a broader frame. This appreciation of the time that it takes to build results but also of the repercussions of the decisions we make is a welcome antidote to much of the short-termism we see in the media and also in policy-making today.

Above all, these speeches capture Mr. Tokayev’s firm belief in an enduring need for the United Nations, not least at a time of profound transformations in our international system. A belief in a United Nations that needs to adapt to be able to meet the challenges of a rapidly-changing world, but also a United Nations that will continue to be important and relevant as the only truly global table where everybody can come together.

And I think that Mr. Tokayev will agree with me that it is efforts like those that we are engaged in here in Geneva that will ensure that the does United Nations stay important and relevant. It is the types of partnerships that we build here, the partnerships that bring together Governments, international organizations, civil society and also increasingly the private sector – that will enable us to confront the challenges of today – and certainly those of tomorrow.

In his farewell speech – very appropriately delivered on United Nations Day last year – Mr. Tokayev promised to continue promoting the United Nations and International Geneva. With this book, we can all see that he is keeping that promise.

Thank you very much.