Ban Ki-moon attending UN building inauguration

The UN secretary general joins Queen Margrethe and the PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt in Nordhavn

The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, is in Copenhagen to attend the inauguration of the new UN building. Ki-moon will join Queen Margrethe and the prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt (Socialdemokraterne), in an official inauguration ceremony today.

The newly-constructed UN building, which includes state-of-the-art facilities and is arguably the most multi-national workplace in Denmark, is located in Copenhagen’s north harbour district of Nordhavn.

“Denmark has hosted UN organisations for more than 50 years. However, this is the first time that they will all be located on the same premises,” the Foreign Ministry wrote in a press release. “The new UN building will enhance efficiency and foster collaboration between the organisations and improve their ability to deliver results on the ground.”

Some 1,000 guests are expected to attend today's ceremony, including the foreign minister, Villy Søvndal (Socialistisk Folkeparti), the development minister, Christian Friis Bach (Radikale), and mayor Frank Jensen (S).

Thorning-Schmidt will take the opportunity of Ki-moon’s presence in Copenhagen to meet with the UN secretary general and discuss some present international issues, including the situations in Syria and Afghanistan.

Ki-moon said that he and the UN appreciated Denmark’s actions on the international stage.

“Denmark is a pioneer and I am extremely appreciative of that. Denmark has contributed to numerous peacekeeping missions and has hosted several important UN agencies,” Ki-moon told Politiken newspaper. “I mustn’t forget to thank the exquisite contribution to renovate one of the UN meeting halls with Finn Juhl’s classic furniture.”

The two leaders will also be discussing Ki-moon’s international education initiative, Global Education First Initiative, which Thorning-Schmidt is an advocate of.  

The new UN building, which was designed by the Danish architect firm 3XN, is 45,000 square metres in size and is owned by a consortium including the city and state-owned development company By & Havn and the two pension funds, ATP and PensionDanmark.

The building, which won the 2012 EU Commissioner’s Green Building Award, has a strong environmental profile and is expected to use less than 50 kilowatt hours (kWh) per square metre per year. The building has solar panels on the roof and uses sea water for cooling and rain water for its toilets.

Denmark has hosted UN organisations since 1957.

TOP STORIES

  • “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “To some extent, Denmark is not fair to internationals.” Nichlas Walsted, 34 years old, is the CEO of Swap Language, a provider of Danish lessons to more than 10,000 internationals. Tens of thousands of people follow him, and he advocates for internationals: “Because no one else does. I can’t think of a single politician or well-known person in Denmark who stands up for them,” he says.

  • Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Almost 30 million passengers travelled to or from Copenhagen Airport in 2024. The profit was 1.4 billion DKK and both figures are expected to grow in 2025. Expansions continue, and investments are being made in continued progress

  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Greenlandic election seen as positive by experts

    Greenlandic election seen as positive by experts

    Last night’s Greenlandic election resulted in a surprising landslide victory for the moderate party Demokraatit, who won 30 percent of the votes – a 20 percent rise for the party since the last election.

  • Greenland moves to the right

    Greenland moves to the right

    A very surprising election gives victory to the right-wing opposition party Demokraatit. The incumbent center-left coalition loses spectacularly. Greenland – and Denmark – anxiously await upcoming government negotiations

  • Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Copenhagen Capacity has launched a survey for all internationals living in Denmark to find out if they are happy here and what challenges they face. The Copenhagen Post is the media partner for this initiative. You can find the survey below in the article.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    A study reveals how only the massive influx of non-Western immigrants has saved many areas in Denmark from a decline in the workforce and a consequently shrinking economy

  • Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    An analysis from the Labour Movement’s Business Council shows that the rate in long-term unemployment for non-Western immigrants is 1.8 times higher than for Danes. In other words, a chronic unemployment situation is way more probable for non-Western internationals.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs