Director-General's remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of Building S1

Ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of Building S1

 Thursday, 7 November at 3.30 p.m.

Building S, Room 160, Palais des Nations

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all today to the inauguration ceremony of Building S1, home for over 75 years to the offices of the Directors-General and over 900 UN staff. Allow me to warmly thank Ambassador Anna Ifkovits Horner for joining us today, and above all, for the unfailing support of our host country - Switzerland - towards the Strategic Heritage Plan project (SHP).

To all the members of the SHP Advisory Board, I also extend a warm welcome and I take this opportunity to thank you for the major role you play in overseeing this project.

I know you appreciate the importance of the Palais des Nations as a global centre dedicated to working for peace, rights, and well-being for all and your continuing support to this important project has been invaluable. 

Today’s inauguration of Building S1 is another major and exciting step forward for the SHP. The Palais des Nations is being transformed into a modern workplace with conferencing facilities that meet today’s standards for safety and accessibility and that correspond to new ways of working. 

The renovation of this building provides a modern heritage which combines the past and the future.  My office and I have already moved in, and we look forward to the arrival of other entities. 

Thank you.