Tuesday, 25/09/2018 10:44 (GMT+7)
A statue of late South African President Nelson Mandela was inaugurated on September 24th at the United Nations (UN) headquarters to honor the President’s 100th birth anniversary.
Nelson Mandela Statue is inaugurated in U.N headquarters (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
The 1.9 metre statute of anti - Apartheid activist Nelson Mandela is a gift from South Africa to the international community as a symbol of humanity and reconciliation.
Once unveiled, it'll be the first time a statue of a person will reside in the UN headquarters.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the ceremony that Mandela "embodied the highest values of the UN - peace, forgiveness, compassion and human dignity."
His fight against apartheid "marks a landmark in human rights and freedom," the UN chief added, thanking the South African government for donating the statue.
Mr Mandela, who passed away in 2013, spent 27 years in terrible conditions in prison for his political beliefs and actions, and then, on his release, became the first black President of South Africa.
In South Africa, Nelson Mandela is described as the “Father of the Nation” and is seen as a global symbol of peace. He was the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and an enduring symbol of integrity, principle and resilience.
In November 2009, the General Assembly of the UN proclaimed the date of July 18th as Nelson Mandela International Day, which has been celebrated every year from 2010 in recognition of the contributions made by the South African leader to the culture of peace and freedom./.
Compiled by BTA