The Russian Academy Of Arts

     The unveiling ceremony for the bust of Sergio Vieira de Mello, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (from September 2002 to August 2003) who lost his life in the bombing of UN headquarters  in Iraq on August 19, 2003, was attended by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The monument has been designed by the President of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli and presented as a gift to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.
 
     In his letter to Zurab Tsereteli,  the United Nations  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says:
     “I am writing to thank you for your generous gesture in creating pro bono  and offering to the United Nations a bronze bust of the late High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, who, together with twenty-one other colleagues from the United Nations, died so tragically as a result of the terrorist act in Baghdad in August 2003.
     This monument is very important to the families of the victims, as we so clearly  and poignantly saw together during our meeting at the site. But it is no less important for the United Nations, as it symbolizes the tragic loss of its “best and bravest” colleagues, and underscores its determination to continue to extend assistance to people around the world, while ensuring better security for our own staff.
     In a wider context, your bust of Sergio Vieira de Mello, particularly when viewed in conjunction with your memorial to the victims of 9/11, recently opened in Bayonne, New Jersey, symbolizes not only international mourning for the victims of terrorism, but also the firm commitment of the international community to put an end to this scourge.
     All people of good will, each in their professional area, and not just politicians and diplomats,  should assist the United Nations in this work. You have certainly made your contribution to this not only as Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO, but as a sculptor and as citizen. I believe that it is hard to overestimate the role of art in the task of transforming the world for the better.

     Thank you again for all that you are doing.

                                           Sincerely yours,

                                            Ban Ki-moon”
     The words of appreciation have been also expressed by Sergei Ordjonikidze, Director-General of the UNOG in Geneva: “The gesture of Zurab Tsereteli once again stressed the leading role of Russia in the United Nations activity and has been of big political resonance”.

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