Security Council members commemorated 20th anniversary of WTC attacks, pledges to fight terrorism
By Anjali Sharma
NEW YORK – United Nations members of the Security Council visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of attacks on World Trade Center.
Members of the Council in a statement issued said that “they are as united today as they were 20 years ago in their commitment to prevent and counter terrorism, in all its forms and wherever it occurs, consistent with international law.”
It also re-committed to the words set forth in the Charter to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war…and for these ends to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security,” the statement added
Security Council President and the Permanent Representative of Ireland Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason issued a statement said that “Twenty years ago, the members of the Security Council quickly condemned the horrifying terrorist attacks which took place in the United States on 11 September 2001.”
Today, the members of the Security Council marked this solemn anniversary with a visit to the 11 September Memorial and Museum in New York City.
She stressed that the members of the Security Council are as united today as they were 20 years ago in their commitment to prevent and counter terrorism, in all its forms and wherever it occurs, consistent with international law, the statement noted.
Council members offer their condolences to the families and friends of those killed in these attacks, recognizing that more than 90 countries lost citizens
Ambassador Nason said that so, today, the members of the Security Council recommit to the words set forth in the Charter of the United Nations to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war…and for these ends to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security”.
“Those words are a guiding light to all nations as we engage in our solemn task to make the world safer and more secure,” the statement added.
US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield thanked the 9/11 Memorial and the museum for welcoming the members of the council and giving us so much of your time,” she said in her remarks.
“Mike, Alice, thank you very much. And thank you to members of the Security Council for joining us here today and really commemorating this very solemn moment.” She said.
Ambassador Linda Thomas stressed that “This is the first Security Council Event since COVID began and, unfortunately, it’s a sad event, but it’s also an important event. And it’s an important event that reflects the unity of this Council on this issue.”
She reiterated that “This has been a particularly busy month and I thank Geraldine for allowing us to use part of her time this month; it means a lot to us to be able to gather here today as a group and pay tribute to the victims of 9/11 and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the action that the Council took as a united front in response to the attack.”
She noted that over 90 countries, including some of us here today lost citizens on that day.
“And I hope that we can use this occasion to reflect and remember and honor those victims, as well as the survivors and first responders from that day.” She said.
“The Council and the world should never forget the attack on the city that we all now call our home. And so many other people feel that New York is a global city, it’s an international city, it’s a city that they all feel close to. And so, we have to make sure that we honor this city and show our respect for this city moving forward,” her remarks stressed.
She told the members of the council that she watched an event on TV that shared the experiences of some of the people who survived the attack. And it was heart wrenching to hear what they went through, it was heart wrenching to see, in real time, what they went through. And to see the city destroyed and then to come here, today, and see the amazing work that you’ve done and all of you to put this together. All I can say is thank you,” she concluded her remarks.
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