FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY HAS GIVEN THE WORLD 'AN AGENDA FOR TOMORROW' SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO COMMEMORATIVE MEETING

Press Release
SG/SM/5796/Rev.1*
GA/8970/Rev.1*

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY HAS GIVEN THE WORLD 'AN AGENDA FOR TOMORROW' SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO COMMEMORATIVE MEETING

Following is the text of the closing remarks of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to the special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations at Headquarters on 24 October:

Greetings to you all, at the end of this historic meeting. Greetings to the leaders of the world.

You are part of the largest gathering of world leaders in history. Your presence speaks, as you have spoken, with eloquence, of confidence in the future of the United Nations.

One hundred twenty-nine Heads of State and Government have come to the United Nations, to mark its fiftieth anniversary. We have listened to the wisdom of these leaders. Together they have given the world an Agenda for Tomorrow. An Agenda covering every aspect of human society.

Those who made possible this extraordinary event deserve our deepest thanks.

To Ambassador Butler and the Preparatory Committee: your work laid the foundation for this successful gathering. And, through your work, this meeting closes with the adoption of a historic Declaration. The States of the world have today reaffirmed the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and their commitment to them. They have resolved to redirect the United Nations to ever greater service to humanity, especially those most in need.

To the thousands of non-governmental organizations around the world, you have forged a new global partnership with the United Nations through your contribution to this effort. Out of it will come new associations and teaching projects which will vastly strengthen our common action in the future.

* This is the text of the Secretary-General's statement, as delivered.

- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/5796/Rev.1 GA/8970/Rev.1 24 October 1995

Our thanks go also to the Observers from non-member States and from other organizations. To the heads of the specialized agencies of the United Nations system. To the members of my advisory group on the fiftieth anniversary. To Gillian Sorensen, who has directed UN50. To the Protocol Office. To the many global sponsors of this event. And, to our permanent host, the City of New York on behalf of the United Nations, I express my appreciation to Mayor Giuliani, Commissioner Sylva, the New York Police Department and the people of New York City, for their patience, cooperation and warm welcome. To our host nation, the United States of America, and its many departments, we send our admiration and thanks.

None of this could have been achieved without the dedication and tireless efforts of the United Nations staff. The fiftieth anniversary secretariat. The staff in Conference Services. In General Assembly Affairs. The interpretation and translation services. The security personnel. And many, many more. All are living, shining examples of the United Nations and its ideals -- of peoples of the world engaged in service to peoples of the world.

All of this attendance, this dedication, this hard work, show that the United Nations has the support of the citizens of the world and their leaders. I am convinced that together we can enable the United Nations to serve the world of the future.

During these past three days, the family of nations has been meeting in this house of nations. During these past three days, the dialogue of nations sought by the founding fathers has been taking place in friendship and fraternity. During these past three days, we have seen the spirit of San Francisco live again. May this spirit guide us during the next 50 years.

May we, together, build the "Virtuous Planet" Al Madina Al Fadila described by the Arab philosopher Al-Farabisome centuries ago. Long live the United Nations!

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