Delivered by Ambassador and Permanent Representative Lana Nusseibeh

At the outset of the meeting, I should like, on behalf of the Security Council, to express our deepest sympathy to the Government and people of the United States of America on the passing of Dr. Madeleine Korbel Albright. Madeleine Albright had a long and distinguished career in the service of her country, including as Permanent Representative to the United Nations, where she presided over this very Security Council, and as the first woman to serve as Secretary of State of the United States. I should also like to convey condolences to Secretary Albright’s family and loved ones.

In my national capacity, as the first female ambassador of my country at the United Nations, I know that many women ambassadors since then owe Secretary Albright an enormous debt of gratitude. Her informal group of women ambassadors, which she dubbed the “G7”, was an important step for a more inclusive United Nations perhaps one day with a G97 where half the Ambassadors are women.

On behalf of the Council I would ask all present to stand and observe a minute of silence in memory of Madeleine K. Albright.