UNOG AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SIGN AGREEMENT ON RENOVATION OF CONFERENCE ROOM XVII OF THE PALAIS DES NATIONS

Michael Møller, Acting Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, and Obaid Salem Saeed Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Office at Geneva, today signed a memorandum of understanding according to which the United Arab Emirates will undertake the financing of the full refurbishment and renovation of Conference Room XVII of the Palais des Nations.

"I would like to highlight the importance for a Member State to step up as the United Arab Emirates did to pledge to refurbish a Palais room, thereby contributing to the renewal of the Palais des Nations,” said Mr. Møller. “The Palais des Nations is an important element of the heritage of Geneva and of Switzerland, but also of all Member States of the United Nations, and we have the duty to preserve and modernize it.”

The strategic heritage plan to renovate the Palais des Nations is presently in its planning phase. Restoration and construction work will begin in 2017 and is expected to conclude by 2023. Conference Room XVII was built and decorated in the 1970’s, and its facilities and technical equipment no longer conform to current requirements for United Nations meetings.

The United Arab Emirates will fund the full renovation of the Room XVII, including its architectural and technical refurbishment. It will also provide artwork representing the culture, art and architecture of the United Arab Emirates. The project is expected to be completed within one year.


For use of the information media; not an official record

DG14/006E