SECRETARY-GENERAL'S REFORM EFFORTS RECEIVE STRONG POLITICAL SUPPORT ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT SAYS AT CONCLUSION OF GENERAL DEBATE

Press Release
GA/SM/5

SECRETARY-GENERAL'S REFORM EFFORTS RECEIVE STRONG POLITICAL SUPPORT ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT SAYS AT CONCLUSION OF GENERAL DEBATE

Following is the closing statement of the President of the General Assembly, Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine), delivered this afternoon at the conclusion of the general debate in the Assembly plenary:

The general debate at the fifty-second session of the General Assembly has come to its end. Before declaring its closure, I would like to make some concluding remarks. This is not a summary of the debate since it is neither my task nor responsibility.

It is my conviction that the general debate has proved once again the unique and important role of the General Assembly within our Organization. In the course of the general debate the major global issues facing the world community today were addressed at the highest political level. We had the privilege to hear the statements by 176 speakers. Among them were 18 Heads of State, 1 Crown Prince, 14 Prime Ministers, 16 Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers, 111 Ministers for Foreign Affairs, 4 other Ministers and 12 heads of delegations.

Providing statistics at the end of the general debate has become a long- standing tradition, but I would urge us not to dismiss those numbers as mere "facts for the record", but instead look at them as a vivid testimony of the universal character of our Organization. And as for those critics who tend to view the general debate as simply an occasion for generalized statements, I think the past two weeks have shown Member States engaged in an eloquent, vigourous, focused and thought-provoking discussion on issues of global significance.

Can we do even better? No question about it, and it is therefore not surprising that many speakers emphasized the need to strengthen the role of the General Assembly and to streamline its procedures. We should spare no effort to make sure that the General Assembly, as a unique world parliament, conducts its business in the most efficient, pragmatic and productive manner.

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Now in that context, the general debate performs many important functions and one of the key ones among them, I think, is that of an accurate barometer of world opinion, especially as it pertains to the United Nations. If we look at the past 12 days from that angle, I believe we would be justified to conclude that the barometer is pointing towards "good weather".

We all recall, however, that only a couple of years ago -- ironically on the eve of the Organization's golden anniversary -- there were ominous clouds of disappointment and disillusionment on the horizon. As the Organization came under a barrage of harsh and often destructive criticism from different quarters, there was a sense of uncertainty and doubt about the Organization's ability to change and to adapt itself to a post-cold-war world. True, there was no shortage of appeals for reform, but in the absence of a realistic blueprint, the gap between exhortations and practical deeds seemed to be hard to bridge.

After listening carefully to the statements during the debate, I am convinced that the discussion has reflected a major change in perceptions and attitudes. I think on the issue of reform, we have made a crucial step from the quicksands of the doubtful onto the firm grounds of the possible.

Virtually every speaker has addressed the issue of reform and commented on the report of the Secretary-General which contained a concrete programme for renewing the United Nations.

It was one of the major themes during the general debate. In this respect, it would be fair to state that the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General to reform the United Nations has obtained strong political support. Practically all delegations welcomed the comprehensive reform package of the Secretary- General and most supported its endorsement in principle.

Delegations have emphasized the comprehensive nature of the reform package. There was also a broad focus on the Secretary-General's efforts to transform the leadership and management structure of the Organization. The need was recognized to ensure that reform be undertaken as a concerted effort to redesign and strengthen this Organization for the task it would be expected to perform in the period ahead, rather than merely as a cost-cutting exercise. At the same time, a number of speakers referred to the fact that certain reform proposals would require further consideration. The importance of reflecting the needs and aspirations of all Member States was stressed, as was the need for consensus and full participation.

The focus placed by Member States on the question of United Nations reform during the general debate, both in a general as well as in a detailed fashion, emphasizes that delegations recognized the need for expeditious

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action on the issue. This debate has made clear that Member States want to move rapidly to provide the Secretary-General with the mandate and the direction he requires to move ahead with his reform programme.

It is very important not to lose the momentum and to translate the high level of political will and commitment demonstrated during the general debate in favour of the proposed programme of reform into prompt concrete actions by the General Assembly.

There is a clear awareness of the critical moment which the United Nations has reached. We can succeed in our joint efforts to build up a more effective and more viable Organization and to make it better prepared for the new millennium. To attain this goal, we should be guided by reason, tolerance and determination.

The reform process of the United Nations will be incomplete if it does not embrace the Security Council. The general debate has reaffirmed the broad agreement that the reform of this organ is of great importance for its functioning and legitimacy. In this respect the views were focused on the enlargement of the membership of the Council taking into account equitable representation, new realities and the interests of various regions. It was also felt by many that there is a need to democratize the Security Council and to increase the transparency of its procedures and working methods.

There is also a broad understanding that the reform of the Security Council is a key issue for the United Nations which demands a well-thought-out and well-balanced decision.

The urgent need to put the United Nations on a sound financial footing has been identified by the majority of Member States as a prerequisite for successful reform and functioning of the Organization. The theme of continuing financial difficulties facing the United Nations was a clear pessimistic undertone in the general debate. I have noted strong appeals to those who are in arrears to fulfil their legal obligations and to pay outstanding dues to the Organization. At the same time, it was pointed out that the time has come to adopt a new scale of assessments, based on agreed principles, which would reflect the capacity of Member States to pay. The reform process will be substantially facilitated if we reach a consensus decision on this important issue this year.

It is very important that at this period of renewing and changing the United Nations, it has received the full confidence of Member States during the general debate, which reaffirmed its essential goals: the maintenance of international peace and security, enhancing co-operation for development, strengthening the role of international law, promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and providing humanitarian assistance.

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The general debate has demonstrated that the international community continues to concentrate its efforts on the resolution of the most acute problems facing humankind. The concern of the Member States remained to be focused on the spots of instability. The conflicts in the Middle East and in the Great Lakes region of Africa, in Central Asia and at the Balkans were particularly disturbing. The internationalization of such problems as terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption, illicit arms trading, environmental pollution was also placed at the centre of the debate.

The debate justifies the conclusion that an adequate response to these and other issues is to be delivered through a continuing process of negotiations, a resolute policy of disarmament of both mass destruction and conventional weapons, promoting sustainable development, further strengthening of human rights machinery and gradual reorientation of the United Nations peacekeeping activities to preventive diplomacy.

In the political area a clear trend has emerged towards focusing on prevention rather than peacemaking and peace-enforcement. The emphasis was put on preventive presence of troops or their rapid deployment to avoid escalation of hostilities as well as post-conflict peace-building as a way of preventing the recurrence of future crises.

Promotion of economic and social progress, eradication of poverty and ensuring the widest possible participation in an expanding world economy, regional integration and cooperation, justifiably occupied a predominant place in the general debate. It was clearly stressed that the process of globalization, which is now bringing both opportunities and dangers to Member States, should lead to an increasingly integrated approach to development and should give the benefits to all nations. The barriers that are still maintained in order to hamper the access to foreign markets, the discriminatory and protectionist practices in the international trade, must be eliminated to bring a vision of global free trade to reality.

Achieving sustained growth and sustainable development must remain a major global objective. There are persistent problems, such as lack of safe water, threats to biological diversity, ozone loss, global warming, declining land productivity and desertification. Sustained growth is essential to the economic and social development of all countries. Its promotion will improve the standards of living through eradication of poverty, hunger and illiteracy.

The general debate has also witnessed support for encouraging human rights, democratization and good governance as well as advancement of women and protection of the rights of children and persons belonging to minorities. The need to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations in these fields was stressed by many speakers.

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It is therefore our responsibility to protect the philosophy of the Charter of the United Nations and further develop the role of this Organization in the economic and social spheres.

It is also our responsibility not to lose the spirit of cooperation and commitment at the high political level that has been demonstrated in the general debate. We should direct our future work at the plenary and in the Main Committees in such a way that would embody them in the decision-making process. At present, this Organization depends, to a decisive extent, on what we are saying or doing. It is in our hands to agree what kind of the United Nations we wish to have in the future.

In conclusion I would like to thank representatives of all Member States who participated in the general debate for their cooperation and support of this presidency. This cooperation allowed him to begin plenary meetings punctually and conclude the general debate on time. We managed to achieve the maximum use of conference-servicing facilities, as well as in notional savings to the Organization, a goal to which we must continually subscribe. I will continue to count on your cooperation for the remainder of the session so that we are able to conclude our work on prescribed time.

I am also pleased to indicate that during the past three weeks, I have noticed that more women delegates have been participating in our deliberations. This has given a more gender-balanced representation in our meetings.

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