UN General Assembly
2011

Nearly 66 years ago, in 1946, one of my predecessors was privileged to represent Canada at the first session of the General Assembly. It is an honour to follow in those footsteps and to renew Canada’s commitment to the founding principles of the United Nations, namely, to maintain international peace and security; to prevent and remove threats to peace; to suppress acts of aggression; to respect the principle of equal rights and the self- determination of peoples; to strengthen universal peace; and to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. This Hall symbolizes the promise of humankind and what we can accomplish by working together to uphold those founding principles. Yet, only a short distance from here is an entirely different symbol - ground zero. The date 9/11 was a stark reminder that evil exists, that life is fragile, that freedom has enemies, and that the poison of radical terrorism is all too real. It serves as a reminder that, as far as humankind has advanced, threats to peace, security and human dignity remain.