PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY DISCUSSES COST OF PUBLISHING STATEMENTS DELIVERED TO COMMEMORATIVE MEETING
Press Release
ANV/218
PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY DISCUSSES COST OF PUBLISHING STATEMENTS DELIVERED TO COMMEMORATIVE MEETING
19950918 The Preparatory Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations was told this afternoon that "a suitably prestigious quality publication" containing the full texts of statements made during the special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly would cost an estimated $715 per page.The Chairman of the Committee, Richard Butler (Australia), said that approximately 7,000 copies of the book would be produced in the six official languages of the United Nations. The publication was suggested during preparations for the anniversary as a means of allowing an expansion on statements delivered verbally, since to accommodate the large number of speakers, those statements have been limited to approximately five minutes. In response to the cost estimates, a number of representatives this afternoon expressed concern. The representative of France said that Member States could be requested to shorten the statements intended for publication. The representative of Canada recommended that Member States who could afford to do so contribute financially to offset the cost of the publication.
Also this afternoon the Chairman confirmed that, following further consultations with the Secretary-General, past Assembly Presidents would not be invited to the Special Commemorative meeting because of the unavailability of space for them to participate fully in the events.
Gillian Martin Sorenson, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Public Policy, said that to date 149 national committees had been formed to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary. She also announced that a briefing for delegations on all the commemorative activities being organized for October would be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, 21 September, in Conference Room 4. The Department of Public Information would hold a briefing on media matters at 3 p.m. Tuesday, 26 September. In addition, the secretariat of the fiftieth anniversary would organize a "walk-through" of the logistics of the special commemorative meeting for delegations.
Statements were made this afternoon by the representatives of Antigua and Barbuda, France, Bulgaria, India, Austria, Zimbabwe, Norway, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Syria and Ukraine.
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Following the presentation of the Committee's draft report by the Rapporteur, Patricia Durrant (Jamaica), the Chairman informed the Committee that the report would be completed and presented to the Committee for adoption at its final meeting.
The Committee will hold its final meeting on a date to be announced.
Committee Work Programme
The Preparatory Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations met this afternoon to consider its draft report to the General Assembly and discuss pending issues regarding the special commemorative meeting of the Assembly on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary, which is to be held from 22 to 24 October. The Committee was also scheduled to consider a report on the work of the group that is drafting the declaration to be adopted by the special commemorative meeting.
The draft report of the Preparatory Committee (A/AC.240/1995/L.8) contains a draft resolution by which the Assembly would approve the Committee's report and take note of its work in 1995. It would express its appreciation to the secretariat of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations for the series of commemorative programmes and projects it has undertaken and coordinated and for its efforts to involve national committees, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations system and staff in the global commemoration of the anniversary.
Also by the draft resolution, the Assembly would submit to all Member States, observer States and Palestine, in its capacity as observer, the text of the draft declaration for consideration as the text to be adopted by consensus by the special commemorative meeting of the Assembly.
The report provides background information on the Preparatory Committee and reviews preparations for the commemoration of the Organization's fiftieth anniversary. It recalls that the Committee was established by the Assembly in 1992 (decision 46/472) and that there was an understanding that its decisions would be taken by consensus. In 1993 the Committee decided that the theme for the commemoration would be "We the Peoples of the United Nations ... United for a Better World" and also established an open-ended drafting group to prepare a declaration to be adopted in 1995 to mark the anniversary.
In 1994, on the recommendation of the Preparatory Committee, the Assembly decided to convene a special commemorative meeting on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Charter of the United Nations. The Assembly also decided that invitations to the meeting would be issued to all Member and observer States at the level of head of State or government, and that all heads of delegations would be afforded the opportunity to address the special meeting. In its report to the Assembly's forty-ninth session, the Committee reported that the arrangements for the special commemorative meeting, in addition to applying to all Member and observer States, would also apply to Palestine and other observers, should they so request.
Addressing matters relating to the preparations for the special
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commemorative meeting, the draft report reviews decisions by the Committee and the General Assembly concerning the organization of the list of speakers. The speakers list as at 22 August, arranged using the procedures described in the report, is contained in an annex to the report, although the report states that there have been a number of changes to the list reflecting changes in the level of representation of certain delegations.
Addressing the drafting of the declaration, the report recalls that in 1994 the open-ended drafting group agreed upon a conceptual approach: namely that the declaration should address the general public; utilize simple and not grandiose language; be substantive in nature; strive for brevity; and reflect a thematic approach. It was also agreed that all decisions by the drafting group would be taken by consensus.
By March 1994, a general structure for a draft declaration had been agreed to by the drafting group. In February 1995 the drafting group agreed that the Bureau would prepare a draft that would serve as the "single negotiating document". Subsequently, based on a paragraph-by-paragraph reading, and written amendments presented by delegations, the first rolling text was produced by the Chairman. Following the submission of additional written amendments, the Chairman issued three other rolling texts and discussion continues on a final draft declaration.
Reviewing other preparations for the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary, the draft report states that as of 25 July, 145 Member or observer States had established national committees. Throughout the year the Preparatory Committee was kept advised of the numerous commemorative activities being organized for the anniversary year by those committees and it was pleased to note that many of the activities were directed at reaching and informing the general public, and especially at educating youth about the work of the United Nations.
Moreover, numerous Member States decided to honour the United Nations on its fiftieth anniversary with special issues of stamps and coins. In addition to the three special stamp series which are being issued in 1995 by the United Nations Postal Administration in honour of the fiftieth anniversary, virtually every other postal administration has issued or has noted plans to issue such commemorative stamps. Over 40 Member States already have agreed to issue legal tender coins honouring the anniversary. Under the programme, participating Member States donate a royalty to the Trust Fund for the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebrations on each special proof or uncirculated coin sold to collectors. These royalties are being used to support educational and communications activities about the work of the United Nations.
The report states that the secretariat of the fiftieth anniversary continued to develop and implement a global commemorative programme of
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activities and products. The goals identified by the secretariat and endorsed by the Preparatory Committee for the anniversary had been to promote a more balanced image of the United Nations, to enlarge its constituency of support, especially among youth and non-traditional audiences, to improve world-wide education about the work of the Organization and to mobilize public support in favour of the United Nations to position it to meet ever-growing demands. The report cites important global youth projects undertaken by the secretariat, among them:
-- the promotion of a global teach-in on the United Nations, in which the objective is to have all schools designate time around 24 October to teach about the United Nations;
-- the development of Educational kits for teachers on the United Nations and its work for three school levels -- primary, intermediate and secondary -- in all six official languages, focusing on such global issues as migration, pollution, health and peace, within subject matters ranging from history and literature to science and mathematics;
-- initiation of a passport to the future, designed to sign on millions of young persons between the ages of 7 and 14 years as "global citizens" by having them pledge to carry out a number of volunteer activities to make their world a better place;
-- and a book about the United Nations, A World In Our Hands, written, illustrated and edited by young people from around the world.
Fiftieth anniversary global communications activities developed by the secretariat have included:
-- print, audio and video campaigns for media, exhibits, conferences, film and television programming, including the international public service announcement campaign, in the six official languages, to inform the public of the many achievements of the United Nations system in the areas of democratization, decolonization, women and development, health, refugees, peace-keeping, environment and food security;
-- a multimedia exhibit provided to Headquarters and regional offices, and to headquarters of specialized agencies using CD interactive technology and demonstrating the interdependence of the global community by focusing on the history of the Organization and on its major areas of endeavour;
-- fiftieth anniversary information sites on the Internet and related on-line services (United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Gopher, America On-Line, CompuServe and The Microsoft Network);
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-- and publications, including a pictorial history of the United Nations -- Visions - Fifty Years of the United Nations - a newsletter, press kits, an informational brochure, notes for speakers and an educational wall chart.
Addressing activities within the United Nations system, the report states that a Forum on the Future of the United Nations had been convened at Vienna with the participation of all Administrative Committee on Coordination members and a number of distinguished personalities who have been leading independent reviews on ways to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations system to meet the major challenges ahead.
In addition, the report states cooperative activities between the United Nations and other organizations of the United Nations system had taken a more operational turn, focusing on the preparation of projects that highlight the work of the system. Also, joint projects were being undertaken with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) regarding the distribution of educational materials, the promotion of the global teach-in and the organization of youth encounters. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had cooperated in publishing the results of discussions with non-governmental and private organizations related to a global assembly on food security. In addition, the UNDP had contributed significantly to the dissemination of information on the fiftieth anniversary through the Internet.
Addressing activities of non-governmental organizations, the report says that United Nations associations and other non-governmental organizations have supported the fiftieth anniversary effort to broaden public understanding of the work and continued relevance of the United Nations through, among other things, education programmes, conferences, activities aimed at young people, such as art projects, essay competitions and model United Nations programmes. In addition, many of those organizations, especially the United Nations associations, actively participate as members of national committees established for the fiftieth anniversary.
In the context of the Assembly's fiftieth session, there are plans to organize a one-day non-governmental organization programme in mid-October to examine the role of the organizations and the United Nations and its future in the twenty-first century, building on the various initiatives, studies and reports issued in 1995 dealing with civil society and the United Nations. The programme would be coordinated by the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council together with the Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI).
Concerning administrative and financial issues, the report states that
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the Preparatory Committee was informed that the financial situation of the Organization precluded making funds from the regular budget available for financing fiftieth anniversary commemorative programmes and events. The Secretary-General had therefore established a Trust Fund for the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebrations for that purpose, and had urged the Member States to support that initiative. A number of Member States have made contributions, and many have provided resources to their national committees organizing anniversary commemorations.
Support also was sought from the private sector, including a limited number of global sponsors and international licensees. Sufficient resources to develop core global activities were obtained from three global sponsors and several major project sponsors. A limited number of international licensees also provided substantial funds and distribution of messages about the work of the organization. The Trust Fund is expected to continue to receive revenue from some of the licensees, particularly with respect to commemorative coins and publications.
Statements
Committee Chairman RICHARD BUTLER (Australia) said that Patricia Durant (Jamaica) had been designated Rapporteur of the Committee.
GILLIAN MARTIN SORENSEN, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for Public Policy, said that 149 United Nations national committees around the world were reporting on their work in association with the fiftieth anniversary session. Among the activities being undertaken were artistic events, concerts and even sports events. A huge amount of media interest in the fiftieth anniversary celebrations had been expressed. "The spotlight will be on New York", she said.
Summarizing pre-anniversary preparations, she said that task forces on all aspects of the celebration -- from media coverage to organization and other issues -- were all working hard to finalize plans for different events. Regarding the special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly, there would be a maximum number of 6 official passes for delegations entering the General Assembly hall, 4 passes for the area outside the hall, and 1 pass for the spouse of the head of State or government, she said.
The Chairman, Mr. BUTLER (Australia) recalled that statements by heads of State or government should be limited to five minutes, not precluding the distribution of longer texts. All full-text statements would be subsequently published in a bound book. Assuming 7,000 copies the book, produced in a suitably prestigious format in six languages, the cost of the effort would be some $715 per page.
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The representative of France said that the Committee might recommend a five to eight page limit for written texts. If a limit were not set, some speaker might turn in a 250-page speech.
The representative of Bulgaria said that in the Committee's preliminary discussions it had been understood that delegations could distribute longer texts -- at no cost to the Organization -- for inclusion in the final book. Also, it had been understood that all views would be included, whether or not other delegations agreed with the views.
The Chairman, Mr. BUTLER (Australia) said that delegations would be limited to five-minute statements and would be able to distribute longer texts in the General Assembly. The verbatim record of the meeting would included only the spoken -- five minute -- text. For posterity, a final book would be printed containing the texts distributed in the General Assembly Hall. The Committee must decide whether, given the financial circumstances of the Organization, it should recommend to delegations that the written texts not exceed a certain number of pages.
The representative of India wondered what would be the final cost of the book.
The representative of Austria asked whether page limitations would be predicated on typeset pages or word-processor pages. Perhaps a limit of words should be set, rather than pages.
The representative of Zimbabwe said that the Committee was re-visiting the issue "at the eleventh hour". It would be difficult at this stage for heads of government to alter their plans.
The representative of Norway said that the book should be no longer than 400 pages. Therefore, delegations would be limited to approximately two pages in the book.
The Chairman, Mr. BUTLER (Australia) said that on the assumption that 180 delegations would each produce 10 pages of text, the book would cost some $1.2 million. He suggested that the bound book might include the five-minute verbatim record spoken in the Assembly Hall, rather than the written versions of the remarks.
The representative of Canada said that some recommendation on limitations might be necessary. States might also be asked to make voluntary contributions to the publishing effort.
The representative of Trinidad and Tobago suggested that the Organization might charge delegations for copies of the books.
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The representative of Uganda said that many delegations had already transmitted the report of the Committee to their capitals. Also, delegations might be asked to contribute to offset the cost of publishing their remarks in accordance with the length of their remarks.
Mr. BUTLER (Australia), the Chairman, said that the Committee had decided to publish the book, but needed to analyse the cost and determine how those costs might be recovered. Turning to the issue of special invitees, he said that he had taken up the question of inviting past Presidents of the General Assembly to attend the special commemorative meeting as special invitees. He said that the Secretary-General had explained the reasons why they could not be invited, chief among them being the unavailability of space -- both physically and in the various event agendas. He personally agreed with the Secretary-General.
The representative of Syria asked whether the limitations on passes would include the security details of the heads of State or government.
The Chairman, Mr. BUTLER (Australia), said that they did. The security arrangements for the special commemorative meeting would be one of the most comprehensive undertaken anywhere. Then taking up the draft declaration, he said that he had originally planned to approve the draft declaration at the end of last week, but it was not yet finished. The drafting group was working late to complete a consensus text. "Nothing is agreed until all is agreed", he said.
Consideration of Draft Report
PATRICIA DURRANT (Jamaica) Rapporteur of the Committee, reviewed the draft report on a chapter-by-chapter basis, noting some omissions which would be added later. She informed that, in addition to the list of countries which had established national committees, Cape Verde, St. Lucia, Zaire and Zambia would now be added to the list. There were now 149 national committees.
Mr. BUTLER (Australia), Committee Chairman, said that the sections on the drafting group and the draft resolution were still to be completed. The sections on the speakers list and on national committees had to be updated. When those sections were completed the Committee would then adopt the report and act on the draft resolution recommended in it.
Ms. SORENSON then informed the Committee that a number of religious non- governmental organizations had planned an interfaith service as part of the commemorative events. It would be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, 24 September, at St. John the Divine Cathedral.
The representative of Ukraine, referring to the draft report, said the
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list of documents in Annex II of the draft report should state which Member States had submitted amendments to the draft declaration. He asked that those references be reflected in the final version of the draft declaration.
The Chairman, Mr. BUTLER (Australia), said the origin of amendments would be shown in the list of documentation in the next issue of the report. He then said that a new date had been proposed for the meeting of the non- governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. The new date was Monday 20 November. The theme of the meeting would be: "NGO/United Nations Partnership. The Way Forward".
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