“ASEAN Geneva Committee Painting Exhibition 2016”

Distinguished Ambassadors of ASEAN countries,
Mr. Bovonethat Douangchak,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to be with you today for the opening of this wonderful exhibit, which showcases the diversity and breadth of talent found among the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Today’s event is possible thanks to the Permanent Missions of the ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. I would like to thank these States for their sustained commitment to the cultural life of the Palais des Nations and to our collective pursuit of peace, rights and well-being.

This gallery features 34 paintings from across the ASEAN Member States. In the diversity of subjects, artistic approaches and cultural influences on display, we see a reflection of the human diversity that is the beating heart of ASEAN. Its more than 625 million people – about 8.5 per cent of the global population – are a microcosm of humanity, representing a palette of languages, religious beliefs and ethnic identities.

Human diversity is a source of strength for both ASEAN and the wider international community. Harnessing its potential, however, depends on fostering cultural understanding and defending universal human rights worldwide. Today’s unveiling coincides with the opening of the 26th session of the Universal Periodic Review here in the Palais des Nations. Its cooperative process brings states, international organizations and civil society together to assist each and every Member State in fulfilling its human rights obligations.
This same ideal of collaboration will be essential in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, implementing the Paris Agreement and defending our human rights. I hope that the cooperative spirit at the heart of this exhibit spreads throughout the Palais and across International Geneva.

Thank you all very much for being with us today.