United Nations Radio

The United Nations office in Geneva has unveiled a modern conference and meeting facility, which features artistic work by the Spanish artist Miguel Barcelo.

The conference facility which has been renamed the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, was unveiled before a gathering of high level dignitaries among them United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the King of Spain Juan Carlos and the president of the Swiss Confederation Pascal Couchepin.

Mr. Ban said the renovation work was stunning and hoped that the new facility will reinvigorate the search for consensus in addressing global challenges.

"I am pleased to be inaugurating this room on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the declaration on Human Rights. This anniversary is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of the declaration and to redouble our efforts to make them a reality for all. Like those rooms where leaders gather, this room will be a forum in which all countries large and small, developed and developing can air their grievances, highlight their aspirations, and hopefully, in the end find consensus."

The renovation work of the new conference facility was financed by Spain. Patrick Maigua UN radio Geneva

(duration: 1'25")