Ban inaugurates renovated Security Council chamber

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon inaugurated a completely refurbished Security Council chamber with advanced electronics Tuesday.

The refurbishment work, part of the $2 billion UN Capital Master Plan (CMP) to renovate the entire UN headquarters, included asbestos removal, new ventilation system and technical innovations.

"Since 1952, this room, the Security Council Chamber, has been the place where the world has come together in our efforts to 'unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, '" Ban said.

"The wear and tear of decades took its toll, and this room was vacated three years ago for much-needed renovation under the CMP," he said.

"Standing here now, it is hard to imagine that, at one point during the construction, this room had been stripped of everything. Only the bare concrete walls, the floor slab and the ceiling remained," said.

"Now it is whole again, and then some," Ban said, pointing out highlights of the original design by Norwegian architect Arnstein Arneberg: the horseshoe table, tapestry and draperies, meant to inspire council members by "depicting the anchor of faith, the growing wheat of hope, and the heart of charity."

He said that while the room looked as it did in 1952, there were improved electronics and various security enhancements. These include advanced power sources for laptops, tablets and smartphones

Norway contributed $1.4 million to restore the chamber in the Conference Building, along the East River side of UN headquarters in New York.

Ban thanked Norway for providing "generous support for this renovation, beyond its assessment, another sign of the country's enduring commitment to the United Nations."

Norway later hosted a wine and cheese reception and panel discussion on the future of the world organization down the corridor in the newly restored Delegates Lounge.

"If my predecessor, Trygve Lie of Norway (first UN chief), were with us today, I am sure he would feel quite at home in this renovated Security Council Chamber," Ban said.