UN Environment conference starts with moment of silence for Ethiopia plane crash victims

A moment of silence was observed at the start of United Nations Environment Programme meeting held here a day after 157 people, including at least 22 affiliated to the UN, were killed in the Ethiopian Airline crash on Sunday. The delegates arrived at the event with the UN flag flying at half-mast. They hugged and comforted one another at the start of the conference, reported Al Jazeera.

Speaking at the conference, the head of UN-Habitat Maimunah Sharif said, "We will not forget this tragedy, nor those who perished. Let us reflect that our colleagues were willing to travel and to work far from their homes and loved ones to make the world a better place to live." Earlier, United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres, in a tweet, conveyed his “heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of all the victims.”

The UN chief wrote on Twitter, “Deeply saddened by the news this morning of the plane crash in Ethiopia, claiming the lives of all on board. My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all the victims - including our own @UN staff - who perished in this tragedy.” All 157 people on board, belonging to 35 different nationalities, lost their lives after a newly issued Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet of the Ethiopian Airlines crashed a few minutes after taking off from the Bole International Airport here on Sunday. 

(With inputs from agencies.)