Director-General's remarks at the Inaugural Ceremony of the “Armenia-France Friendship Room"

Inaugural Ceremony of the “Armenia-France Friendship Room”

Thursday, 31 October 2024, at 1.00 p.m.

Room XXIII, Palais des Nations

Your Excellency Mr. Hovhannisyan, [PR of Armenia]

Mr. Vardanyan, [Head of the Friendship Group Armenia-France of the National Assembly of Armenia]

Your Excellency Mr. Bonnafont, [PR of France]

Mr. Devinaz, [President of the France-Armenia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group]

Mr. Boghossian,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to be here today and accept this art donation on behalf of UNOG. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Permanent Missions of Armenia and France for today’s event and for their generous donation of two paintings and a sculpture by renowned artist, Jean Boghossian. We are honoured to have Mr. Boghossian with us today, and I am grateful for his exceptional artistic contribution to UN Geneva.

These beautiful artworks are now part of a diverse collection of over 1,300 pieces that has grown since 1936, when the Palais des Nations was the seat of the League of Nations. Each artwork tells its own story and reflect the rich cultural heritage of our Member States. Mr. Boghossian’s creations convey the message of the Franco-Armenian friendship and the importance of friendly relations among nations, which is one of the pillars of the UN Charter. 

As global challenges become more complex, the need for inclusive spaces that bring together diverse voices has never been greater. The United Nations remains the only truly global and neutral forum where all stakeholders can come together to address shared challenges. UN Geneva, as one of Europe’s largest conference centres, plays a key role in this mission, facilitating 8,500 meetings annually to support discussions on issues across the UN Agenda.

Room XXIII is a reflection of this commitment to dialogue and collaboration. I hope that all who gather here will be inspired to engage in meaningful discussions and forge lasting connections towards a more peaceful and inclusive future.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Permanent Missions of Armenia and France, and of course to Mr. Boghossian, for this exceptional donation.

Thank you very much.