The President’s remarks, on behalf of the General Assembly, at the tribute to His Majesty King Harald V of Norway. They are reproduced in full below, as prepared for delivery, and are available as issued in PDF.
In His Words
Passages quoted verbatim from the tribute as prepared for delivery. The full text follows below.
King Harald reminds us that trust is not proclaimed; it is built, patiently, by seeing one another and working with each other.
H.E. Dr. Khalilur Rahman
Tribute to His Majesty King Harald V of Norway, 14 September 2026
“King Harald V reigned in that spirit, with openness and a deep appreciation for humanity in all its diversity.”
“They remind us that unity does not require uniformity. That our differences need not divide us. And that belonging is not something we grant to others, but something we build together.”
“His passing marks the end of an era, but not the end of his legacy.”
The Tribute in Full
Your Excellency Merete Fjeld Brattested, Permanent Representative of Norway,
Excellencies, dear colleagues,
Allow me, on behalf of the General Assembly, to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty Queen Sonja, and His Majesty King Haakon VIII and the entire Royal Family, as well as to the Government and the people of Norway, on the passing of His Majesty King Harald V.
The Charter of the United Nations begins with the words “We, the peoples”, a reminder that this organization is ultimately about people. It calls on us to practise tolerance and to live together in peace with one another as good neighbours.
King Harald V reigned in that spirit, with openness and a deep appreciation for humanity in all its diversity.
He understood a simple truth: for a society to remain strong and united, every person must be able to see themselves as part of its story.
Perhaps nowhere did he express this more powerfully than in 2016, when he said:
“My greatest hope for Norway is that we will be able to take care of one another. That we will continue to build this country – on a foundation of trust, fellowship and generosity of spirit. That we will feel that we are – despite our differences – one people. That Norway is one.”
Those words resonate far beyond Norway then, and they resonate still.
They remind us that unity does not require uniformity. That our differences need not divide us. And that belonging is not something we grant to others, but something we build together.
That message carries particular weight here, in this Hall.
It speaks directly to the task we have set for ourselves in this session, restoring trust: trust among nations, trust in this institution, and trust between people and those who govern.
King Harald reminds us that trust is not proclaimed; it is built, patiently, by seeing one another and working with each other.
At a time of profound challenges and deepening divisions, King Harald’s example reminds us that there is more that binds us together as human beings than sets us apart.
His passing marks the end of an era, but not the end of his legacy.
It will live on through the generations of Norwegians he served and inspired, and through the simple conviction that defined so much of his reign:
That everyone should have a place in the story we share.
As Norway begins a new chapter, we extend our best wishes to His Majesty King Haakon VIII.
May His Majesty King Harald V rest in peace.
Thank you.