Flag Raising Ceremony for South Sudan

Distinguished Ambassadors
Dear Colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today is a special day at UNOG. I welcome you all to the Palais des Nations for this historic flag-raising ceremony. On behalf of the United Nations here in Geneva, I wish to greet the Republic of South Sudan as the world’s newest nation and the 193rd Member State of our Organization.

The flag of South Sudan represents the people, peace, the blood shed for freedom, the land and the waters of the Nile; with a star for unity. We raise this flag at the Palais des Nations to show the support of the United Nations family in Geneva for this new country. UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon went to Juba to attend the independence ceremony of South Sudan. Many agencies, funds and programmes here have worked tirelessly to provide this support. And we will continue to do so as South Sudan establishes itself in our community of nations.

There are many challenges ahead. And there are a lot of opportunities because South Sudan has remarkable potential, both human and natural. The United Nations is fully committed to working with South Sudan to achieve this potential and to meet its responsibilities as a nation.

Along with the rest of the international community, let us all wish South Sudan peace and prosperity.

Thank you very much.