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international

does it trace your father’s entire career, but it
also recounts 50 years of diplomacy during a
pivotal period in history, from the early 1960s
to the turn of the millennium. And, by the same
token, it tells the story of Geneva International.
It would be fantastic if this book were available
to a wider audience. And not this book alone.
I was honored to be involved in processing your
father’s archives. It is then that I reread all the
papers and documents – they are real treasures. I
know that Michael Karlen published a book The
Master Diplomat devoted to your father, and he
also made a beautiful website with a link to the
archives, while donating them to the UNOG on
behalf of your family. I made a selection on Mr.
Petrovsky’s concept of Geneva International, as
it occupies a special place in his work. Still, it
seems to me that it would be good to publish all
the 13 volumes as a complete collection, covering
the main topics that he explored beyond Geneva
International. Do you plan to publish more
books?
HP. Maybe sometime in the future. I do hope
further projects will be possible, beginning
with the book on Geneva International that
you so thoughtfully compiled (it does deserve
a wider circulation). There is a lot to tell about
many other of my father’s pet projects, especially
during his last UN assignments – in New York,
with the Agenda for Peace being an absolute
milestone, and in Geneva, where he spent nine
incredibly productive years from 1993 to 2002.
This period is certainly worth commemorating.

ER. Your father initiated so many important artisan de la Genève internationale”, Le Temps, V. Petrovsky with
endeavors, and his vision for the future 10.03.2014. K. Annan.
of Geneva is his long-lasting legacy. We 4. Vladimir Petrovsky, “Challenging Agenda: Role Private archive
published some of his ideas in our magazine of Geneva in the Years to Come”, UN Chronicles,
with the hope that they would become reality. December 2000, and Evelina Rioukhina,
If you decide to publish more, it would be of “Petrovsky – Pioneer of Geneva International”,
crucial importance during these turbulent Diva. International Diplomat, No. 1/2021.
and critical times. Especially for Geneva. 5. Michael Karlen (ed.), Vladimir Petrovsky: The
Master Diplomat, ISBN 10-1938599802, 2015.
Thank you very much for sharing this exciting 6. Gody i liudi [Years and People] (in Russian),
promenade! ISBN 978-5-94607-225-0, 2019.
7. 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva
International: Bringing the Concept to Life, a
collection of archival documents compiled by
References: Evelina Rioukhina, ISBN 979-8-88680-201-6,
1. Official biography, UN Archives: https:// 2022 (limited edition).
archives.ungeneva.org/vladimir-petrovsky-2 8. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, “Agenda
2. Official website of the Petrovsky archives: for Peace”, DPI/1247, 2498, June
https://www.petrovskyarchive.com/ 1992 (reprinted 3238, 92873/1992) ;
3. François Normann, “Disparition d’un grand and many other publications.

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