GMK Noril'skiy nikel' PAO : Norilsk Nickel supported the reconstruction of the Russian Salon in the Headquarters of the UN in Geneva.

On Tuesday, March 1, the official opening ceremony of the Russian Salon after its reconstruction was held in the Headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva (Palais des Nations). The ceremony was attended by Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and Andrei Bougrov, Vice-President of MMC Norilsk Nickel. Reconstruction of the Russian Salon in the Headquarters of the UN in Geneva was conducted with the support of MMC Norilsk Nickel.

'It is an important event. I would like to thank all who made it happen, in particular, Norilsk Nickel's President Mr. Vladimir Potanin. It is worth coming to see it. I hope that people who will be meeting here will feel comfortable and so be able to accommodate one another's side', said Sergey Lavrov at the Russian Salon opening ceremony.

'This room is illustrative of true Russian culture and heritage. It is made for promoting dialogues', said Ban Ki-moon.

'Reconstruction of the Russian Salon in the UN Headquarters in Geneva is an illustrative example of Norilsk Nickel's charity and sponsorship projects in Russia and abroad,' said Andrey Bugrov.

The new interior of the Russian Salon was designed a famous architect Juan Pablo Molyneux, who, specifically, designed the decoration of the Pavilion of Meetings in the Park of Konstantinovsky Palace near St. Petersburg.

Within the relatively small room space of only 24 square meters, the designer has successfully visualized characteristic features of Russian art movements of the last three centuries. The late 18th century neoclassical art was the design keynote, and the decoration of ceilings refers to the Russian avant-garde of the early 20th century.

Russian Salon was opened in the Palais des Nations for the first time in 1995 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Organization. The reconstruction of the salon is chronologically coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Palais des Nations built in 1936.

In addition to sponsorship of the reconstruction of the historical interior of the Russian Salon, Norilsk Nickel is known for its charity and sponsorship projects, including state program of resettlement of residents of polar towns to areas with more favorable climate, development and support of Norilsk infrastructure, realization of the World of New Opportunities charity program. Nornickel is also a corporate sponsor of the Moscow Multimedia Art museum and supports the Russia national football team and CSKA professional basketball team.