Secretary-General Statements

I am honoured to pay tribute today to the memory of the 112 peacekeepers who died while serving the United Nations in 2011. Sadly, this marks the fourth year in a row that more than 100 peacekeepers lost their lives in the line of duty. I offer my heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and countries. You in this room represent the governments that contribute these forces – and bear the losses. I am deeply grateful to you for engaging in this global partnership.

    Good morning. Selamat pagi. Let me begin by thanking the organizers for bringing us together. Rarely do I have the opportunity to meet with such a distinguished group of people and prominent group of international security experts. You are important partners of the United Nations, and I welcome this chance to deepen our ties. I think we can all agree: the past year has been remarkable to all of us in the international community.

Your Excellency Mr. Cavaco Silva, President of Portugal, Distinguished Members of the Council, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank Portugal for convening today's debate on the protection of civilians.   I very much welcome the presence here today of His Excellency President Cavaco Silva –a clear sign of the commitment of Portugal to this very important issue.   All of us share a fundamental responsibility to do more to protect civilians caught up in the horrors of war.  

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Excellencies and distinguished guests, Dear faculty members, dear students, Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, for your very kind introduction and for this invitation. I am honored to have this opportunity after my distinguished predecessors, as fourth United Nations Secretary-General to speak before you in this very esteemed and one of the oldest universities. It is an honor to be part of the Oxford community, if only for a day.