ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT STRESSES ROLE OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT AS KEY PLAYER ON INTERNATIONAL SCENE

18 May 1998

Press Release
GA/SM/41

ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT STRESSES ROLE OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT AS KEY PLAYER ON INTERNATIONAL SCENE

19980518 Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine), in Message to Cartagena Meeting, Calls Active Involvement of NAM in World Affairs Most Encouraging Development

Following is the message by the President of the General Assembly, Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine), to the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, in 19 and 20 May:

First of all, allow me to express my sincere gratitude for your invitation to participate in the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement in Cartagena de Indias. Please accept my deep regrets that I am unable to attend that important forum that will consider issues of major significance to the Movement. This is a particularly momentous event for the Government of Colombia and the Chairmanship of the Movement, whose skilful stewardship has contributed to the strengthening and growing cohesiveness of the Movement.

An ever more active and direct involvement of the Non-Aligned Movement in world affairs can be ranked among some of the most encouraging developments on the international scene in recent years. Facing a drastically changed environment of the post-cold-war era, the Movement has met the new challenges by reaffirming its fundamental principles and refocusing its energies in the quest for a more just, secure and equitable world.

Any kind of viable international stability is impossible without the ability of all members of the world community -- no matter how small or poor they may be -- to have a say in shaping their own fate or in dealing with other countries. As an organization representing the greater part of humanity, you serve as a mouthpiece for many of those nations that have often had their voices drowned out by the loud chorus of global politics.

The continuing relevance and growing importance of the Non-Aligned Movement is especially evident at the United Nations, where it represents about two thirds of the membership. I have had the privilege of witnessing it first-hand during the consideration by the General Assembly at the current session of a package of reform measures and proposals submitted by the Secretary-General. The question of United Nations reform is an issue of vital interest for the entire membership and that is why the Movement's direct and

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constructive involvement has been a key factor in assuring progress in the process of revitalizing the Organization.

United Nations reform is, of course, only one of many areas where the Non-Alignment Movement has been a key player on the international scene. Your agenda covers a panoply of issues of global concern, from crucial matters of peace and security to the challenges of economic and social development, poverty eradication, protection of the environment and the promotion of human rights. I have no doubt that the Ministerial Meeting in Cartagena will mark another important step in advancing your cause, especially as you prepare for the next Summit of the Heads of State or Government of the Non-Alignment Movement, and I wish you every success in your important work.

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