United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has praised Ireland as a “dynamic member” of the Human Rights Council.

As he was honoured with the Tipperary International Peace Award last night, Mr Ban said that Ireland sent a message to the world with its referendum on same-sex marriage.

first from the left Guy Jones, president of the Irish lebanese foundation.
, sharing the photo with UN Secretary general.

“This is a truly historic moment,” he said, adding: “The result sends an important message to the world.”

Previous recipients of the peace award include Nelson Mandela, Bob Geldof, Mary McAleese and, in 2013, the Pakistani schoolgirl and activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived being shot by a Taliban gunman for going to school.

Mr Ban received the award at an event in Tipperary where he also met some UN peacekeeping veterans.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan paid tribute to the UN secretary-general for his leadership.

“The secretary-general has steered the United Nations with firm leadership and good grace, and remained committed to the very core principles that the United Nations represents: peace, development and human rights,” he said.

It is the first of the UN chief’s engagements in Ireland over the next two days, including a keynote address in Dublin tonight which will touch on Ireland’s role in international peacekeeping and the migrant and refugee crisis in Syria and the Mediterranean.

Martin Quinn, honorary secretary of the Tipperary International Peace Award, said Mr Ban was being honoured for his work on climate change, a new development agenda and the response to conflicts and natural disasters.

Mr Roger Hani the World Vice President of the World Lebanese Cultural Union for Europe, representing the World President Mr Alejandro Kuri Pheres, attended The International Tipperary Peace Award on Sunday the 24th of May in Ireland in response to an invitation extended to the  WLCU by Mr Guy Younes Jones member of the Tipperary Peace Committee and chairman of the Irish Lebanese Cultural Foundation .

The event was attended by Ministers and members of the local and National Government as well members of the diplomatic Corps and dignitaries and guests from all around the World .

 Mr Ban Ki Moon the UN Secretary General received the Award for his work on Climate change and for reshaping the UN into an efficient body that is dealing with unparalleled challenges for the last decade .

 Mr Ban praised the work of NGOs and civil society groups on inciting Governments to work towards change and equality . Mr Ban praised the Irish engagement in Peacekeeping since 1958 when Ireland sent observers to Lebanon to monitor the Lebanese Syrian border.

Minister Charlie Flanagan ascertained the Irish commitment to Peace and Foreign Aid .

Previous recipients’ of the peace awards include in 1989 Mikhael Gorbatchev, in 1989 late Nelson Mandela, in 1999 US Senator of Lebanese Origin George Mitchell, in 2005  Former Prime Minister of Lebanon, late Rafic Hariri, in 2012, the Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai…..

On the sideline of the occasion Mr Roger Hani also met with the accompanying UN staff of different UN agencies and encountered the honored guest Mr Ban Ki Moon during the event.

Courtesy of “Irish Independent”