“I am delighted to start the celebration early for the 2010 United Nations Day, which will be held this year on Sunday 24 October, and which will be celebrating 65 years of the United Nations.
I am also delighted that so many local representatives of United Nations organisations are here today. I warmly welcome people from CEWC, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNYSA and UNA to the Belfast City Hall. I know that many of you have come from other parts of Northern Ireland and it is good to have you here with us.
I understand that the United Nations Association of Northern Ireland has continued its tradition of celebrating United Nations Day locally, by inviting representatives from other UN organisations to join them in the event. It is, therefore, a pleasure for me to host this reception to allow the UN family to reinforce the role and work of the United Nations in such a positive way.
I gather that last year the UN Day event was marked in the City of Armagh and included a tour of the Armagh Observatory as part of the UN International Year of Astronomy. This year I hope that you have enjoyed the tour of the Belfast City Hall as part of this UN Day event. You have seen the City Hall one year after its official re-opening following major refurbishment. It is looking its best and is a fitting venue to wish the United Nations another 65 years!”
Not only were UNA members were joined by representatives from UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNESCO and CEWC, but also by students from the MUN groups of Queen’s University, Belfast and Methodist College Belfast. Both groups are working on plans for challenging MUN events. The reception was a valuable opportunity for the local UN family to gather together, foster links with the MUN student groups and arrange future support.