SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES PAKISTAN'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNITED NATIONS ON FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE
Press Release
SG/SM/6186
SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES PAKISTAN'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNITED NATIONS ON FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE
19970323 ADVANCE RELEASE Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of Pakistan, delivered on his behalf by the Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Hazem El-Beblawi, to the Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Islamabad, 23 March 1997:I extend warm greetings to all those taking part in this Extraordinary Summit of the Islamic Summit Conference to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of Pakistan.
I extend my congratulations to President Farooq Leghari, to Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and to the people of Pakistan on the auspicious occasion of Pakistan's fiftieth anniversary.
Pakistan has made an important contribution to the work of the United Nations since it joined the Organization on 30 September 1947. For many years, for example, Pakistan has had the distinction of being the leading contributor of troops to United Nations peace-keeping operations. Within the principal organs of the United Nations, Pakistan has also made a significant contribution. Pakistan has served five times as a member of the Security Council. Pakistan held the Presidency of the General Assembly in 1962, and of the Economic and Social Council in 1995. Pakistan has also played host to two major United Nations operations -- the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan and the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan.
In addition to playing a leading role in the United Nations, Pakistan has been an active participant in the work of major international bodies such as the Non-aligned Movement, the Group of 77 and, of course, in the Organization of the Islamic Conference. I attach great importance to the work of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. It was, therefore, with great regret that, because of pressing commitments, I had to decline Dr. Laraki's invitation to attend this Extraordinary OIC Summit.
Since its foundation in 1970, the OIC has grown to become one of the largest and most active international organizations in the world. The Organization derives its inspiration from the noble message of Islam. The Organization's establishment was based on the principles of peace, harmony, tolerance, equality and justice for all, which are also the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter. The OIC Charter reaffirms the commitment of its members to the Charter of the United Nations. It is, therefore, natural that the two Organizations should work closely to promote the ideals, principles and objectives that they share.
To be effective, the involvement of regional organizations and the United Nations must be a two-way street. A greater delegation of responsibility to regional organizations should run parallel to increased collaboration by the United Nations in regional initiatives. In this way, cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations can evolve into an increasingly effective division of labour and weave a new fabric of international collaboration.
At this point I wish to express my thanks to the current Chairman of the OIC Foreign Ministers' Conference, Indonesia, and to His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco for his leadership as current Chairman of the OIC Summit Conference. I am particularly grateful to His Excellency Azeddine Laraki for his excellent work as Secretary-General of the OIC and, in particular, for his efforts to strengthen and consolidate cooperation between the United Nations and the OIC.
Finally, I thank the Government and people of Pakistan for hosting this meeting and I reiterate my warm congratulations on the occasion of Pakistan's fiftieth anniversary. I wish you all a successful and productive Extraordinary Summit meeting.
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