On 23 October, UNA-UK held an embassy engagement event to commemorate United Nations Day 2012 with the London diplomatic community. The evening brought together Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Parliamentarians, and civil society in celebration of the vital work of the UN.
Building on last year's UN Day reception held at Australia House, the event was chaired by Sir Jeremy Greenstock, UNA-UK Chairman, and hosted by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to London, H.E. Mr Alexander Yakovenko.
The keynote speaker at the event was Mrs Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, who highlighted the enduring relevance of the UN in today's globalised world and the urgent need for member states to continue to support UN bodies, such as UNESCO.
During the event, UNA-UK also presented its 'Sir Brian Urquhart Award for Distinguished Service to the UN'. This year's recipient (in absentia) was Sir Richard Jolly, whose work at, and with, the UN has had a profound impact on the Organisation's development achievements. Having served the UN for over 20 years, including as Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and principal coordinator of the UN's seminal Human Development Reports, Sir Richard continues to work on UN issues at the Institute of Development Studies in Sussex, and as co-director of the UN Intellectual History Project.
Click here to find out how you can show your support for the UN this month.
Click here for the Russian Embassy's press release for the event.
