Honiara, Solomon Islands - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid a historic visit to the Solomon Islands September 3 and 4, the first visit by a UN Secretary-General in the UN's 65 years of history.
Sir Allan Kemakeza, Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Prime Minister, presented a traditional carving to Mr. Ban on behalf of the Ambassadors for Peace. The back of the carving is engraved: "From the Universal Peace Federation Ambassadors for Peace, Solomon Islands."
"I know this is a small island developing State," the UN Secretary-General said in a meeting with Prime Minister Danny Philip on September 4. "But when I look at how vast this country is ... and how strong your human resources are ... and how enormous your potential is ... I don't think small. You can change your status from this Least Developed Country [to] Leading Development Champion. This is another kind of LDC - Leading Development Champion from Least Developed Country. I see a large ocean developing nation. I see great opportunities. And I see tremendous progress ahead. And I see huge hope for the future. I sincerely hope that our partnership between Solomon Islands and the United Nations will be as deep as the Pacific Ocean."
For the full text of the address click here.