Message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Moscow Conference dedicated to the living memory of Ambassador Vitaly Churkin
I am pleased to greet this Conference dedicated to the memory of Ambassador Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin.
One year has passed since the unexpected death of our renowned colleague and friend. We feel keenly the loss of his engaging personality, passion in defending his country’s interests and dedication to the United Nations.
Ambassador Churkin’s diplomatic career took him to the pinnacle of internationalism as one of Russia’s most able diplomats. He led a full and accomplished life, and dedicated his career to public service – first to the people of Russia, and then to the wider international community and the United Nations. He was greatly respected and admired by all his colleagues.
I am confident that young Russian diplomats will continue to build on Ambassador Churkin’s legacy and support the global mission of the United Nations.
