An exclusive tour of the UN’s Geneva Office with Director-General Moeller

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Europe

‍By CGTN's Hou Na

The Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) is the largest and most active center for conference diplomacy in the world, and is known as the place "where nation can meet nation". It plays host to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), which is the second largest United Nations complex after the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Palais des Nations, a beautiful art deco building in the Ariana Park overlooking Lake Geneva. /Hou Na

This was my very first tour of the Palais des Nations, as well as my first visit to Switzerland. Luckily, I found myself a very special tour guide – Michael Moeller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva. When I met with him, he had just finished a live-cross interview with my colleague Liu Xin. Moeller is a figure who is clearly very familiar with CGTN.

My first impression of the Director-General is that he is both very genuine and polite. Moeller showed me a wall of artwork and photographs which tell the personal stories and important moments that have happened in the building. He then took me to the Assembly Hall, where President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech.

From the podium of the Assembly Hall, President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech. /Hou Na

There, I asked him how he sees China's role in the UN.

He replied by saying that China's role is huge, both in terms of finance and peacekeeping missions.

The Palace has more than 30 meeting rooms, most of which are equipped for simultaneous translation. /Hou Na

To help “nation to speak peace unto nation”, the modern Palais des Nations has a total of 34 meeting rooms. The Assembly Hall is the biggest one, and is able to accommodate over 2,000 people to discuss the most pressing issues around the globe.

About half of these meeting rooms are within the original Palais built for the League of Nations in the 1930s, the remainder in the “New Building” opened in 1973. /Hou Na

Moeller told me that he spoke to over 800 children at the Assembly Hall that very morning. He explained how he loves speaking to the future generations, and attaches great importance to youth development.

It is also home to a unique collection of art – a "living museum" donated by governments and individuals as expressions of commitments to improving international peace, human rights and the well-being of the world's people. /Hou Na

Since the League of Nations era, the Palais des Nations has benefited from gifts of artworks celebrating the human condition and the world’s desire for peace and justice.

Moeller took me to see one such gift given by China to the UNOG – 'Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow' – a replica of a bronze piece from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD).

“Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow” – a replica of a bronze piece from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 A.D.) received as a gift from China. /Hou Na

At last, he took me to his own office, where he held meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi last month in preparation for President Xi's visit.

Since the time of the League of Nations, the Palais des Nations has benefited from the gifts of artworks celebrating the human condition and the world’s desires for peace and justice. /Hou Na

Before our tour came to an end, Director-General Moeller kindly gave me two books as gifts. One is ''Fairy Tales For a Fairer World,'' which tries to explain the issues facing our world in a fairy tale style. It’s a gift I will cherish – I love it so much!

Director-General Moeller shows the book he gave to me. /Hou Na

My gift from Director-General Moeller – "Fairy Tales For a Fairer World." /Hou Na

I was delighted to have been able to take my very first exclusive guided tour at the Palais des Nations. It was definitely a memorable experience talking with the Director-General to hear his views on global issues.

The Palais des Nations is not only an important element of the heritage of Geneva and of Switzerland, but also of all Member States of the United Nations.

Director-General Moeller and I in his office, in front of the UN flag. /Hou Na

As Director-General Michael Moeller said to me, President Xi Jinping's visit to the Palais des Nations shows China's support to the UN as a responsible stake holder of the international community.

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