OFFICIAL NEWS
From Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, the United Nations
Your Excellency,
I am pleased to offer you and the Government and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the Republic Day.
It is important that each country celebrates its culture, history and achievements, for that is the essence of diversity that makes our world so rich, resilient and dynamic. Yet it is equally essential that we recognize that we are bound together in an increasingly interconnected world. All Member States – regardless of size or wealth – have a role to play in fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Charter.
We have seen encouraging progress in recent years, especially in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals. Yet much needs to be done to meet the 2015 deadline, shape a post-2015 development agenda and reach an ambitious climate agreement. This year will be critical to our efforts to meet these inter-related and indispensable objectives.
I will continue to count on your country’s active engagement and leadership. Only by working in common cause will we succeed in advancing our shared goals of peace, development and human rights for all.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Ban Ki-moon,
Secretary-General, the United Nations