Welcome Speech for Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon
By H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the 60th Anniversary of Japan’s Membership to the United Nations

19 December 2016

 

 

I would like to thank Mr. Secretary-General, for being with us tonight.

 

Last week, UN member states unanimously adopted a GA resolution in tribute to you, thanking you for your dedication and accomplishments during the past ten years.

 

As we celebrate Japan’s 60 years of UN membership, I would like to once again reiterate our heartfelt congratulations to you on the completion of your successful term.

 

Mr. Secretary General,

Mr. Naoki Kusumi, the Master Plasterer, and his colleagues spent more than a week building this plaster wall because they wanted to do it the traditional way.  They also made a point of mixing UN soil from the North Lawn as a tribute to you and all UN staff members for your tireless efforts.

 

60% of world’s buildings are made of plaster or of earth, though we do not notice this if we live in New York.  There are unknown craftsman all over the world behind every plaster wall.  They represent a traditional and environmentally friendly way of life, which we tend to forget in the bustle of our metropolis.

 

The huge Japanese plaster wall in front of you also provides everyone gathered here the opportunity to engrave on the wall, his or her message for peace in his or her own language.    

 

It is our honor to have your message on the wall. The wall may be short lived, but the memories and prayers of your message will remain forever in our hearts.  Thank you very much.

End