“We volition proceed to basal successful solidarity with each victims of terrorism. They volition not beryllium forgotten”: that was the connection from UN Counter-Terrorism chief Vladimir Voronkov on Monday, at a peculiar tribute ceremony marking 20 years since the attacks launched against the United States that changed the people of history.   

Speaking astatine the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in downtown Manhattan wherever the duplicate towers erstwhile stood, Mr. Voronkov, highlighted the value of the commemoration. “We person gathered from each implicit the satellite connected this ineffable crushed successful the big metropolis of the United Nations to wage tribute to the victims and survivors of the unspeakable attacks that occurred present conscionable implicit 20 years ago,” helium said. 

The Tribute successful Light has go an iconic portion of the 9/11 remembrance.

The Tribute successful Light has go an iconic portion of the 9/11 remembrance., by © Eric Ganz

Speaking for the voiceless 

The peculiar ceremony brought together Heads of State, ministers and delegates, representing much than 120 Member States and planetary organizations, who are successful New York for the opening of the 76th UN General Assembly.  

Mr. Voronkov said the UN was committed to continue placing victims astatine the bosom of the planetary counter-terrorism effort, to talk for those who tin nary longer speak, and amplify the voices of survivors.  

“We volition proceed to basal successful solidarity with each victims of terrorism. They volition not beryllium forgotten. No time shall erase them from the representation of time,” he added.  

The commemoration demonstrated the UN commitment to ne'er hide the 2,977 people from implicit 90 countries whose lives were taken when hijacked airliners brought panic to New York, Washington and beyond, and the thousands much that were injured oregon sickened.  

‘Global moment’ 

Alice Greenwald, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, said that “for many, the Memorial is seen arsenic the spot wherever the 21st period began. The attacks of September 11, 2001 may person happened present successful the United States, but successful truth, 9/11 was a planetary moment”.  

“Your beingness present is simply a almighty objection of planetary solidarity with the victims of 9/11 and their families, so with each victims of terrorism. 

“Standing present today, you affirm the imperative of remembrance and underscore the work of our shared humanity – recognizing that the quality impacts of coercion and utmost unit are cosmopolitan and collectively acknowledging the implicit illegitimacy of coercion arsenic a effect to governmental grievance”, Ms. Greenwald concluded. 

Needs and rights 

Expressing sympathy and solidarity with grieving families, José Manuel Albares, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs for the European Union and Cooperation, in his capableness arsenic co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, restated the “commitment towards our communal collaboration to combat against terrorism, and successful favour of the victims, their needs and their rights.” 

The ceremonial included a infinitesimal of silence, pursuing which Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Foreign Minister Albares, layed wreaths successful representation of victims of the September 11 attacks, and each victims of coercion worldwide.