DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG OPENS SEMINAR ON THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

21 July 2003


Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, today opened a Seminar on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights at the Palais de Nations. The week-long programme, organised by the World Federation of United Nations Associations, Geneva and the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, brought together 50 representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations from different parts of the world, including China, Russia and Iran.

The Director-General highlighted the need for education for promoting human rights globally, and commended the organisation of the Seminar as an important step in this direction. He added that such events further promote and strengthen the work of the Commission. The Director-General encouraged the participants to “utilise this unique opportunity of interacting with the experts…and use the knowledge you have acquired to assist the United Nations promote respect for human rights.”