Exhibition entitled 'Science Bringing Nations Together'

Ambassador
Director-General Aymar
Director Sissakian
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen :

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations for the opening of an exposition entitled «Science bringing Nations Together». This exhibit celebrates the cooperation of two great nuclear research facilities, one in Russia and one right here in Geneva. It continues to this day to be a very fruitful example of international collaboration and I will touch on it in more detail in a moment.

Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the worst nuclear power plant accident in history. As we look back over the past two decades, we need to remember the selfless heroism of the emergency workers who responded to the accident; the suffering of the more than 330,000 people who were resettled from contaminated regions; the risks and fears experienced by millions of people living in surrounding areas; and the painstaking and costly measures undertaken over many years to limit the population’s exposure to radiation and to mitigate the accident’s impact on health and the natural environment. These sacrifices must never be forgotten.

It is deeply symbolic that the opening of an exhibit dedicated to man’s success in harnessing nuclear energy should fall on the day associated with what is considered as the worst nuclear accident in history. However, this symbolism need not be a source of pessimism. On the contrary, I feel strongly that humankind must have and indeed has the ability to learn from its mistakes – particularly tragic ones – and to move on to progress in science, technology and human development.

It is in this spirit, that I wish to thank the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation as well as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) for presenting this exhibition. It traces the remarkable achievements of JINR over the course of its 50 years of existence. This anniversary showcases well its contribution to promoting the development of wide international scientific and technical cooperation, particularly with CERN. These two leading centres have shaped a model for international collaboration and understanding across national boundaries as well as for scientific rigour. More importantly however, they have unified outstanding scientists and populations alike, through the achievement of shared scientific goals for the benefit of the entire human family. The title of today’s exposition is all the more fitting since science knows no frontiers. It prospers in an environment where diversity is respected and where one is appraised on one’s merits and character.

Ladies and Gentlemen :

Marie Curie is known to have said, “You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end each of us must work for his own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility … to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.” Although the contents of our work and areas of specialization may be different, we at the United Nations and at organizations such as CERN and JINR are guided by similar principles and responsibility. The achievements of CERN and JINR highlight the extent to which their work plays a central role in international affairs since science is a powerful tool capable of improving the quality of millions of lives globally. Indeed, today’s world calls for research, scientific and technology-based interventions in all fields of human endeavour.

The last fifty years have witnessed notable advancements in harnessing nuclear technology and in the peaceful utilization of atomic energy. Despite some severe setbacks, as in many areas of science, nuclear and radiation technologies have made a positive difference in food, water and public health areas. They have provided access to sustainable energy and electricity resources, while limiting the damages to our environment. Perhaps this is where Curie’s words are most relevant since our greatest shared responsibility has to be in the area of nuclear technology : misused or mishandled, it can have devastating and catastrophic effects. Today’s exposition, in a way, also provides an opportunity for us to rededicate ourselves to halting the global spread of nuclear weapons and strengthening the standards governing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The objectives of scientific advancement and of the work of the United Nations are similar – finding the right tools and using them effectively to serve and improve the lives of peoples around the world. I look forward to discovering this exposition with you.

Thank you very much.