REMARKS BY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG AT OPENING OF EXHIBITION ON THE LIFE OF NELSON MANDELA

Following are the remarks delivered by Sergei A. Ordzhonikidze, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, at the opening of an exhibition on 9 September at the Palais des Nations entitled “The Life and Times of Nelson Mandela”:

“It is a privilege to welcome you to the Palais des Nations for this remarkable exhibition on the life and times of a great statesman, a unique human being and a close friend of the United Nations. The United Nations Office at Geneva greatly appreciates this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Mandela on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Nelson Mandela truly needs no introduction. His courage and his compassion in the struggle against racism and discrimination have inspired people everywhere. This exhibition not only recounts his achievements, but it also captures his dignity and strength.

Nelson Mandela embodies core values of our Organization: tolerance, equality and justice. He has shown the impact and reach individuals can have when they stay true to their principles and ideals. His struggle for the African people has encouraged fellow human beings far from the continent. And while he helped to shape the destiny of South Africa, he has remained acutely conscious of the fact that the future of his country was closely linked to that of others.

Indeed, Nelson Mandela’s experience became the foundation for a firm commitment to multilateral action and to the United Nations. When he addressed the General Assembly in October 1994 – for the first time as President – he declared that “the elaboration of a new world order must, of necessity, centre on this world body. In it, we should find the appropriate forum in which we can all participate to help determine the shape of the new world”.

This recognition of the value of the United Nations as a forum for all countries to come together to build a better world has been the basis of Mr. Mandela’s own personal involvement in many issues before the Organization – and the basis of South Africa’s active participation across all areas of our work. Having helped to liberate South Africa from the scourge of racism, he dedicated himself and his country to freeing others from poverty, instability and injustice. We are grateful for these efforts.

In closing before the General Assembly, Mr. Mandela said that “the millions across our globe who stand expectant at the gates of hope look to this Organization to bring them peace, to bring them life, to bring them a life worth living”. Here, he summed up most eloquently the vision and the ultimate purpose of our Organization.

I have no doubt that this exhibition will encourage us to work even harder to meet these expectations of people across the world who look to the United Nations to deliver peace, progress and human dignity for all.

Let us be worthy of their trust in us – and of Mr. Mandela’s”.
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For use of information media; not an official record

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