The Permanent Delegation of Hungary to the OECD and UNESCO hosted a National Day reception on November 6 at the OECD, Château de la Muette, attended by more than 100 guests, including OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, H.E. Mr. György Habsburg, Hungary's Ambassador to France, the European Union's Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO H.E. Ms. Christina Kokkinakis, H.E. Ms. Simona-Mirela Miculescu, the President of the UNESCO General Conference, Mr. Márton Bókay, Deputy State Secretary for Economic Development and International Financial Relations of the Ministry for Economic Development of Hungary, several high-level OECD officials, as well as OECD and UNESCO Ambassadors, fellow diplomats and experts to commemorate the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
Ambassador László Havas welcomed the guests and, in his speech, reflected on Hungary's enduring spirit of freedom and self-determination, exemplified by the bravery shown during the 1956 Revolution. He spoke of Hungary’s proud national days and moments that have shaped the country's identity, paying tribute to the courage of the Hungarian people who dared to fight for freedom, even in the face of immense adversity. The Ambassador also expressed gratitude to France for honoring Hungary’s revolutionaries with a memorial at Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery, symbolizing international solidarity with Hungary’s fight for independence.
In his address, Secretary-General Mathias Cormann celebrated Hungary’s socio-economic advancements and progress since its OECD accession, praising its active contributions to the organization’s work. He commended Hungary’s leadership in the current EU Presidency, emphasizing the importance of advancing the accession process of Western Balkan countries—a priority Hungary has championed. This commitment aligns with Hungary’s shared values within the OECD, where, as Ambassador Havas noted, the spirit of the 1956 Revolution resonates through the organization’s vision of unity and honesty in pursuing better policies for better lives.
The evening continued with a performance by Erzsébet Gódor, a renowned Hungarian dulcimer player, adding a touch of Hungarian culture to this reflective and celebratory gathering.
Please click here to see the photos of the event.
