Dear colleagues,

It is an honour for me to preside today’s medal ceremony. At the outset of my remarks, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of all the victims of the crisis in Mali – Malian and foreigners, civilians and uniformed personnel alike. Let us take a moment to look at the many names engraved in the monument in front of us. All of them left their home to try and make the world, and Mali, a safer place. Let us salute their memory and may their dedication continue inspiring us in our daily work.

Today’s medal ceremony is taking place at a time when MINUSMA is in its final phase of drawdown and closure.  This event is therefore even more significant, and I want us to use it to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served in MINUSMA over the last 10 years of its deployment. However long or short your tour of duty has been, rest assured that everyone of you has contributed towards MINUSMA’s achievements over the years and which have made an immense difference to so many lives in Mali.

Among those of you receiving Medals today are the Acting Force Commander, Major General Mamadou GAYE, the Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Guillaume PONCHIN, and the Deputy Police Commissioner, Chief Inspector of Police Mamouna OUEDRAOGO.

Their leadership have been vital to the achievement of MINUSMA’s mandate, and now in this closure phase, they are playing critical roles to ensure the safe and orderly drawdown and exit of the uniformed component. It has been my privilege to count them as part of my senior management team.

Dear recipients, you can be proud of yourselves and wear with dignity the medals that will be awarded to you in a few moments.

Each of you represent more than just yourselves, and your attitudes and behaviour have always been exemplary. I count on you, as well as all the others, to make the withdrawal of MINUSMA a success and provide a positive legacy to Mali and the United Nations.

Chers récipiendaires, vous pouvez être fiers de vous et arborer dignement les médailles qui vous seront remises dans quelques instants.

Sachez que chacun et chacune de vous représente plus que sa propre personne et qu’à cet effet, vos attitudes et votre comportement ont toujours été exemplaires. Je compte sur vous pour assurer le succès du retrait de la Mission, afin de laisser un héritage positif pour le Mali et les Nations unies.