Director-General's message for the Opening of the 2024 Korean cinema night

Opening of the 2024 Korean cinema night

Wednesday, 23 October 2024, at 4.00 p.m.

Room XIX, Palais des Nations

Delivered on behalf of the Director-General by Ms. Lidiya Grigoreva, Cheffe de Cabinet of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Director-General, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, who could not join us today, it is my honor to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations for the 2024 Korean Cinema event. I would like to express our sincere gratitude to His Excellency Ambassador Seong Deok YUN and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea for organizing this screening.

At the heart of international diplomacy, the United Nations Office at Geneva plays a vital role in fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among nations. Through events like today’s film screening, we are reminded that diplomacy is not only about negotiations and resolutions – it’s also about fostering dialogue and building connections through art, cultural exchanges, and shared human experiences. 

The United Nations family and UNOG are committed to promoting the values of unity, cooperation, and mutual respect across borders. For example, we too organize film screenings through the initiative called ‘Ciné ONU’ that uses the power of film to shine a light on the United Nations’ work and foster understanding about human rights, humanitarian aid, health, peace, and many other areas. 

These cultural events encourage us to explore each other’s stories, appreciate different ways of life, and celebrate the common values we all share. 

The Permanent Mission of Korea has a long and successful history of contributing movies to the Cultural Activities Programme of UNOG. Today, we have the privilege of immersing ourselves in Korean culture through the film Miracle, a story that speaks to universal themes we all recognize – family, hope, and perseverance. At first glance, the story of a young boy’s determination to build a train station in his remote village may seem modest, but it carries a profound message about the power of dreams and the strength it takes to overcome obstacles. 

This story echoes the objectives we strive to uphold at the United Nations, that is working together to confront challenges and to build a brighter future for everyone. 

I wish you an inspiring experience. 

Thank you.