Ban applauds six decades of principled leadership of Spain at the UN

“This country has sent explorers out into this world – and welcomed travellers onto its territory. The Spanish spirit of international engagement won out over war and dictatorship when Spain joined the United Nations sixty years ago. Even before that milestone, a number of Spaniards served in our ranks,” said Ban in his remarks at the ceremony marking Spain’s 60th anniversary in the UN.

The UN chief applauded Spain for its six decades of principled leadership and called for stronger partnerships between the country and the UN “so that this proud country can lead even more on the global stage- and help usher in a better future.”

He thanked Spain for sending many top officials to the UN, including outgoing Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino León, and the head of United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT), Joan Clos, and Under-Secretary-General for Public Information, Cristina Gallach.

“I thank His Majesty Don Felipe and Her Majesty Doña Letizia – a UN Special Ambassador on Nutrition – for advancing sustainable development, human rights and cross-cultural understanding,” said Ban.

He further added that the country also has made significant contributions in working towards advancement of women and security.

“I thank Prime Minister Rajoy for chairing the session earlier this month on women, peace and security. I was especially moved when he said that in conflicts, it is more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier,” said the UN Chief.

He also applauded Spain for establishing the United Nations Alliance of Civilization and specifically commended its work in tackling extremism.

“Spain has worked to address the causes of terrorism and violent extremism. I highly again commend Madrid for hosting high-level meetings in July on stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. Let’s unite our forces,” said Ban.

Further he congratulated the country for its historic efforts made in helping the UN reach the MDGs and in developing the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ban specified that that such contributions do not merely depict support for the UN and stressed that it represents the “rich culture of Spain at its best – illuminated for a global cause for peace.”

In addition, Ban commended Spain’s efforts in joining the United Nations on its 70th Anniversary by turning its monuments to the UN Blue from the City Hall in Madrid to the aqueduct in Segovia, from Gaudis’s landmarks in Barcelona to Toledo to Granada to Murcia.

Later in the day, the UN chief attended a private sector meeting where he underlined the important role that business has in helping to achieve the SDGs.

“The Global Compact Network Spain is the largest of the country networks, representing almost two thousand companies, large and small,” Ban told Chief Executive Officers.

“Your network has a solid record of being inclusive and advancing principled business.”

He pointed out that growth has come not just through engaging the largest companies, but also with the smallest. “We will need all hands on deck to implement the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he insisted, adding that worldwide, the business community is mobilizing “as never before.”

Photo: UN Spokesperson