By Prensa Latina,
United Nations : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon chaired a ceremony to officially start the revamping process of the UN central building in New York, to be completed in five years.
The objective is to make it a safer, more modern and functional place, located on the banks of the East River, in the cosmopolitan city.
Ban said the building will be more environmental friendly and efficient, “a model of environmental protection by reducing the use of electricity and water and eliminating dangerous materials used in its original construction.”
During this time, he added, the UN staff will preserve the original purpose of founders who built this building 60 years ago, that is to promote a safer, more peaceful, more just world.
During the over $1 billion remodelling most of the staff will be moved to several buildings in downtown Manhattan.
Others will be relocated in temporary areas inside the main building, while provisional structures will be built for the General Assembly, the General Secretariat and the Security Council in the complex’s northern gardens.