Director-General's remarks at the End-of-Year Reception organized by the Association of Accredited Journalists at UNOG (ACANU)

ACANU End-of-Year Reception
Friday, 21 November 2025 at 7.00 p.m.
World Trade Organization

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening, it is a pleasure to be here with you tonight and I thank, as always, Ms. Catherine Fiankin-Bokonga and the ACANU Committee for bringing us all together.

As you may well know, long before I was appointed as Director-General of UNOG, I worked as a journalist in Moscow, writing stories for increasing understanding and building engagement about complex events for broader audiences.

My experience as a dedicated journalist has stayed with me, and this is why I want to say very clearly tonight: I deeply respect the work you do. You are not just observers of the United Nations; you are vital partners in bringing our work to the world.

Geneva is a place where critical global decisions are made on humanitarian response, peace, rights, health, and more. But those decisions only matter if they are understood, communicated, and connected to people’s lives.

Your reporting and your voices carry that work far beyond these walls. You give these stories impact and your words do make a difference. As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, this is a time not only to reflect on where we have come from, but also to sharpen our purpose for what lies ahead.

Journalists will be critical in helping shape this moment, with transparency, scrutiny, and storytelling.

I wish to warmly acknowledge Ms. Alessandra Vellucci and the entire UN Information Service team for their commitment to ensuring access and accuracy is fundamental to your work.

I am also very pleased to be sharing this evening with Ms. Melissa Fleming, whose leadership in global communications helps ensure that the United Nations speaks with clarity, purpose, and relevance in an increasingly complex media landscape.

I know there are challenges and concerns about access and working conditions and I assure you that I will do my best to give you the support you need to do your work. We are committed, through UNIS, and with our communications colleagues, to continuing to improve how we work with you and to offer you transparency and access to information.

Let me now close by thanking each of you for your professionalism, resilience, and dedication in telling the UN’s story.

We all share a common goal.  To ensure that the important work done here in Geneva is heard and understood where it matters most. Your role in this is vital and deeply appreciated.

I look forward to continuing our solid partnership.

Thank you.