Director-General's remarks at the Exhibition “Pictures for Human Rights”

“Pictures for Human Rights” Exhibition
Monday, 7 September 2026 at 2.00 p.m.
Salle des Pas Perdus, Palais des Nations

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the opening of the exhibition “Pictures for Human Rights”. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Permanent Mission of Germany and their partner NGO for bringing these powerful images to the Palais des Nations.

Art has a unique ability to challenge indifference, bring empathy, motivate action, and express what words alone cannot. By giving visual expression to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the images we see here today encourage us to pause, reflect and view each article from a powerful new perspective.

Nearly eighty years ago, representatives from across the world came together to affirm a simple but profound truth: that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Despite the seismic changes that have transformed our world since 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains as important and relevant today as when it was first adopted. It remains the most translated document in the world, existing in more than 578 different languages and dialects.

The Declaration’s enduring relevance is a testament to the universality of the values it enshrines. It has inspired constitutions, shaped national legislation, and served as the foundation for international human rights treaties and mechanisms. Its principles continue to guide our collective efforts to uphold human dignity, equality and freedom.

In fact, the archives and documents related to the drafting of the Declaration are preserved by UN Library & Archives Geneva and are also available online. Last year we were proud to see these archives inscribed into the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, representing an important recognition of the exceptional value of these documents for the international community.

Ladies and gentlemen

It is imperative that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights never be taken for granted. It must be understood, defended and passed on to future generations. By translating the articles of the Declaration into powerful visual images, these works of art help to make human rights tangible and accessible.

For too many people, in too many places, the principles enshrined in the Declaration remain unrealised or are under threat. This exhibition challenges us to look beyond the pictures before us and ask what more we can do, individually and collectively, to ensure that the promise of dignity, equality and freedom at the heart of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a reality for everyone, everywhere.

Thank you.