At the reception held in the Czech National Hall in New York the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the celebrating countries in their speeches highlighted the most important moments in the history of the UN membership and the contribution of celebrating countries in reaching common goals of the United Nations. The official part of the reception was moderated by the Czech Ambassador to the UN Ms. Edita Hrdá. Among honorable guests there was also the President of the 67^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Mr. Vuk Jeremic, the Permanent representatives, the Deputy Permanent representatives, other diplomats of the UN member states, other high ranking officials from the United Nations, important personalities from the Czech community in the US and Czech citizens working in the United Nations.

Speaking about the Czech Republic UN Secretary General appreciated the efforts of the country in the human rights protection, in helping to countries undergoing process of political transformation and efforts in global peacebuilding.

The Czech Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Vladimír Galuška in his speech remembered the former Czechoslovakia as one of founding members of the United Nations and then mentioned the Czech membership in the Security Council in 1994-1995, participation of hundreds of Czech soldiers in UN peacekeeping missions, support to human rights and democracy in Human Rights Council, the Czech Presidency to 57^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Czech EU Presidency and its role in the United Nations and other activities of Czech diplomats in the UN.

H.E. Ms Edita Hrdá, Czech Ambassador to the UN introducing honourable guests