Annan opens lecture series honouring centenary of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today launched a lecture series in honour of Dag Hammarskjöld – a man he described as one who "personified the United Nations" and whose core ideas remain highly relevant in today's international context.

"The challenge for us is to see how they can be adapted to take account of it in this new environment," Mr. Annan said, opening the first in a series of commemorative events honouring the second UN Secretary-General.

"It is appropriate that the centenary of [Dag Hammarskjöld's] birth comes during a year in which we are thinking ahead on how to build a collective security system, defeat poverty and increase respect for human dignity," Mr. Annan said.

"More than four decades after his death, Hammarskjöld continues to compel fascination among people of the world. And many, including myself, have pondered how he would act were he alive today, confronting the realities we face," he added.

Mr. Annan said he hoped the series inspired everyone to "make the United Nations the most effective instrument it can be addressing challenges of the twenty-first century."

The series is being organized by the UN's Dag Hammarskjöld Library with the support of the Government of Sweden. Four more events are planned for 2005, at which prominent speakers will discuss international responses to disasters, peacekeeping and conflict and crisis management, information and knowledge for global decision-making, and the International Civil Service.