Excerpt:

Happy United Nations Day!

What a remarkable programme ahead of us tonight.

We have some of the world's leading musicians.

We will have a sneak preview of a new documentary film by an award-winning filmmaker.

I thank the Culture Project and all others who have given so freely of their talents to make this evening possible.

We have all come together for one reason: to celebrate the United Nations and one of our flagship activities: peacekeeping.

At this very minute, there are more UN peacekeepers in the field than ever before.

More than 115,000 men and women, troops, police and civilians, serving in the world's most troubled areas, doing their part for stability, peace and security.