Concert and Reception for 2012 International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East

Monsieur le Représentant permanent adjoint de la Suisse,
Mesdames et Messieurs les Ambassadeurs,
Chers Collègues,

C’est un plaisir pour moi de m’exprimer devant vous après le concert pour la paix. Celui-ci conclura la première journée du Séminaire international pour les médias sur la paix au Moyen-Orient, organisé par le Département de l’information de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, en partenariat avec le Département fédéral suisse des affaires étrangères.

Permettez-moi d’ailleurs de saisir cette occasion pour souligner l’engagement inconditionnel de notre État hôte, la Suisse, envers nos activités. Sans cet engagement à nos côtés, rien ne serait possible.

Genève, souvent appelé la Cité de la paix, est un centre névralgique pour les relations internationales. De nombreuses négociations y sont menées dans des domaines divers et variés.

Geneva provides an important platform for dialogue and efforts to bridge divisions. In all efforts for peace, access to accurate and neutral information for the widest possible audience is critical. Here, the value and importance of media – whether traditional or new – cannot be overemphasized. Today’s and tomorrow’s discussions will highlight practical ways to ensure that access to information can provide another avenue for advancing peace.

The Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has stressed on many occasions, and as recently as last week in Jeddah, the urgency of the Middle East Peace Process moving forward. Here he said that: “The two-state solution is long overdue. We must work together to create the conditions for meaningful negotiations that will resolve the core issues and end the occupation that started in 1967. Peace demands that we build bridges between cultures and counter extremism.”

And indeed, we come together here after a most inspiring concert, reminding us again of the power of the universal language of music. Music speaks to us and touches us – regardless of background and tradition. Music unites us in our common humanity. I hope that these two days of seminar will also further unite us in our commitment to peace through dialogue in all areas where it is needed.

I thank you very much for your attention and wish you all success in your important deliberations.

Thank you very much.