With Multilateralism Under Attack, Role of UN Geneva Visitor Centre in Engaging Public Audiences More Vital Than Ever, Secretary-General Says at Portail des Nations

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres' remarks for the Portail des Nations [UN Geneva Visitor Centre], in Geneva today:

It is a pleasure to join you in Geneva on this special occasion. I wish to express my deep gratitude to the Fondation Portail des Nations and the Swiss authorities - and my delight in getting to preview this new visitor centre.

I have always believed the United Nations needs to speak in a way everyone can understand: by telling the truth, bringing clarity and giving hope.

Engaging with public audiences has never been more vital. Around the world, we see multilateralism under attack and raw power on the rise. We see hate and bigotry taking root, and facts twisted beyond recognition.

That is why we need venues like the Partial des Nations, the Gateway of Nations. It will offer visitors a fresh way to experience our European headquarters - and connect with our work around the globe.

Geneva is one of the world's premier hubs for multilateralism and diplomacy. A place for promoting peace and security, human rights and humanitarian action; a place for driving innovation and development, fair trade and dignity at work; a place for tackling climate change and advancing AI [artificial intelligence] for good.

We must share this story widely - and show what is possible when countries work together to solve shared challenges.

The Portail des Nations will host an estimated 180,000 visitors each year. They will learn how UN action around the world benefits people and the planet each day. They will discover immersive content that awakens their compassion, inspires commitment and sparks action as they carry our message back to their communities.

Above all, they will see that the United Nations is a gateway to peace; a gateway to justice and opportunity, with rights respected and no one left behind; a gateway to a liveable planet, through ambitious climate action; and a gateway to a future where technology serves humanity - not the other way around.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Ivan Pictet and the Swiss authorities for creating this important entry point to the work of the United Nations - here in Geneva and around the globe and highlighting the essential role of international Geneva.

I am also grateful to Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, for mobilizing the UN Office at Geneva staff and working with the UN Information Service in Geneva to help make this project a reality. And I commend Melissa Fleming, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, for modernizing the way we engage our audiences worldwide.

Last but not least, I thank the donors, curators and construction crews making this initiative possible, and I wish you every success as the work nears completion. This will be a magnificent demonstration of the essential union between the United Nations and international Geneva.