Director-General's remarks at the Presentation of the book "Life and Legacy of Dr. José Gustavo Guerrero"

Presentation of the book “Life and Legacy of Dr. José Gustavo Guerrero”

Friday, 11 October 2024, at 1.00 p.m.
 Mezzanine Gallery, Door 40, E Building, Palais des Nations

Your Excellency Adriana Mira [Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador],

Your Excellency Yessenia Lozano [Permanent Representative of the Republic of El Salvador], 

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations for the presentation of a book on the remarkable life and work of José Gustavo Guerrero, a distinguished Salvadoran diplomat and jurist who played a pivotal role in shaping international law and multilateral institutions in the twentieth century. 

I extend my gratitude to the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador and the Permanent Mission of El Salvador to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva for making this event possible. 

Today, we honor a remarkable figure in international diplomacy. Dr. Guerrero defended international law with extraordinary courage as President of the Permanent Court of International Justice during World War II, even in the face of Nazi aggression, and continued to follow this path in the capacity of the first President of the International Court of Justice after the war, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to justice and multilateralism. 

His unwavering commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, respect for international law and global cooperation, especially during his time at the International Court of Justice, aligns with the core values of the United Nations. In times of global uncertainty, these principles are more relevant than ever in our efforts to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development in an increasingly complex and divided world. 

As Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized, leadership for peace means fulfilling commitments outlined in the UN Charter and new agreements, such as the Pact for the Future.

El Salvador, through its collaboration with the United Nations, has made significant strides in contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One recent example is our partnership on the “17 Faces of Actions” project. These and other efforts highlight the country’s commitment to sustainable development, inclusive progress, and gender equality – values that resonate deeply with the legacy of Dr. Guerrero.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dr. Guerrero contributed to Geneva’s history, notably by leading the foundation stone ceremony of the Palais des Nations in 1929. His enduring vision continues to inspire us as Geneva remains a crucial hub for multilateral cooperation. And we are very pleased that the book dedicated to his work and life has now become a part of the UN Library & Archives collection, further enriching the knowledge we provide to Member States and researchers worldwide.

I sincerely hope that this book will serve as a lasting reminder of Dr. Guerrero’s enduring impact and inspire us to continue upholding the ideals of the United Nations.

Thank you.