The event was the last in a series of celebrations organized by CERN to mark its 60th Anniversary.
“Whether we are trying to address climate change, stop the Ebola virus, deal with cybersecurity threats, or curb nuclear proliferation, we need scientists with a clear vision and a commitment to work together to find solutions," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. “As we pursue these hugely important efforts, we can be inspired by the work done by CERN. The world faces multiple crises. But this is also an era of opportunity, where great achievements are possible thanks to science, technology and innovation.”
“Science has the potential to significantly impact all three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental,” said Mr Martin Sajdik, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). “The international community must consciously and deliberately work to ensure that advances in science and technology have positive effects towards that end”.
“CERN is delighted to celebrate its 60th anniversary at and with the United Nations,” said CERN Director-General Rolf Heuer. “With this event we wish to promote a more effective dialogue between science and international affairs, and to openly exchange views on how science can be more integrated into global and national decision-making processes for the benefit of all.”
Under the chairmanship of the President of ECOSOC, the event included a series of keynote addresses from eminent scientists and world leaders, including keynote addresses by Nobel Physics Prize Laureate Professor Carlo Rubbia and Kofi Annan, Chairman and Founder of the Kofi Annan Foundation and Nobel Peace Prize winner, who underlined the role that science has played in peaceful collaboration, innovation and development.
“We must strengthen dialogue and collaboration between the world of science and the world of politics and diplomacy,” said Mr. Annan. “It is crucial that we harness the wealth of scientific information available, make sure that it reaches policymakers, and is integrated in decision-making processes”.
The UN strongly supports science and its role in society, and in 2012 CERN was granted observer status to the UN General Assembly.
About ECOSOC:
ECOSOC is the United Nations’ central platform for reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on sustainable development. ECOSOC engages a wide variety of stakeholders – policymakers, parliamentarians, academics, major groups, foundations, business sector representatives and over 3,200 registered non-governmental organizations – in a productive dialogue on sustainable development through a programmatic cycle of meetings. The work of the Council is guided by an issue-based approach, with an annual theme that accompanies each programme cycle, ensuring a sustained and focused discussion among multiple stakeholders.
For those of you who missed the ceremony on 20 October, you can listen to it by clicking here.
Read more about the statement by Professor Fabiola Gianotti, CERN senior scientist and Member of the Scientific Advisory Board to the UN Secretary-General, click here.
Read more about the speech by Professor Hitoshi Murayama, Director of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, University of Tokyo, and professor at the University of California, Berkeley > click here.
To watch again the Official ceremony organised on 29 September 2014, click here. (speeches only)
To watch again the Official ceremony organised on 1 July 2014 at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris, click here.
Video News release CERN - UNESCO
For more information, including a full list of speakers and programme, visit: http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/CERN60/pdf/programme.pdf