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UN chief touts predecessor Boutros-Ghali's role in peacekeeping efforts

Xinhua, February 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday paid tribute to former UN chief Boutros Boutros-Ghali who died Tuesday at the age of 93.

"Boutros Boutros-Ghali had both the fortune and the misfortune to serve as the first post-Cold-War Secretary-General of the United Nations," said Ban at the General Assembly Session in Memory of Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Boutros-Ghali from Egypt served as the sixth UN chief from 1992 to 1996.

In his first month in office, Boutros-Ghali presided over the first-ever Summit of the Security Council, which served as "a powerful symbol of the will of world leaders to make greater use of the United Nations," said Ban.

Ban also noted that Boutros-Ghali "broke barriers as the first African and Arab Secretary-General of the United Nations, and consistently gave voice to the poorest and least powerful members of the human family."

Boutros-Ghali also oversaw remarkable growth in peacekeeping.

"His 'Agenda for Peace' report made far-reaching proposals for fortifying this flagship UN activity, many of which have since become standard practice -- but many of which also remain unfulfilled," said Ban, who said peacekeeping helped Cambodia, El Salvador, Mozambique and other countries emerge from conflict during Boutros-Ghali's tenure.

"At a tumultuous time, Boutros Boutros-Ghali helped the United Nations find its footing in a new global landscape. As we do the same today, let us continue to build on his legacy," Ban promised.

Boutros-Ghali received a doctorate in international law from Paris University in 1949. In September 1978, Boutros-Ghali attended the Camp David Summit Conference and had a role in negotiating the Camp David accords between Egypt and Israel, which were signed in 1979. He also led Egypt's delegation to the General Assembly sessions in 1979, 1982 and 1990.

After returning to Egypt, Boutros-Ghali headed the country's National Council for Human Rights under former long-time President Hosni Mubarak. Boutros-Ghali later resigned in 2011, the year when Mubarak was ousted by a popular uprising.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Egypt in January this year, Xi met with 10 people awarded for their outstanding contribution to the China-Egypt friendship, including former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Endit