ROBUST INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE VITAL FOR STRENGTHENED, MORE EFFECTIVE UN

SYSTEM, GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TELLS MEETING OF FORMER CIVIL SERVANTS

Following is the text of a statement by General Assembly President Jean Ping (Gabon), delivered by Nana Effah-Apenteng, Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations, at the Thirty-Fifth Annual Assembly of the Association of Former International Civil Servants in New York (AFICS/NY) on 18 May:

I was very pleased to receive the invitation to address this 35th Annual Assembly of the Association of Former International Civil Servants in New York.  However, long-standing previous commitments prevent me from being with you today at United Nations Headquarters in New York, and I have asked Ambassador Nana Effah-Apenteng of Ghana, Acting President and Vice-President of the fifty-ninth session United Nations General Assembly, to attend this event on my behalf.

First of all, I am delighted to congratulate AFICS on the occasion of the thirty-fifth anniversary of its founding.  I also wish to personally thank each and every one of you for your valuable contribution during your service at the United Nations and I wish to encourage you to maintain your loyalty to, and advocacy for, the values and aims of this universal organization, our common home.

I have read with considerable interest the information on AFICS(NY) that was provided to me by President Andrés Castellanos del Corral when we met recently, and I was very impressed by the wide variety of activities and services that AFICS provides to its members, as well as by the Association’s continued and steadfast commitment to and support for the United Nations.

As a former United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) staff member, I am keenly aware of what it takes to be an effective international civil servant.  This requires competence, dedication, integrity, and loyalty to the core values of the United Nations Charter.  I would like to acknowledge the important contributions you have made during your careers with the United Nations, and to pay my personal tribute especially to those of you who have dedicated your lives in the service of the Organization.

Because I strongly believe in the indispensability of a strengthened United Nations system for a peaceful and prosperous world, I also strongly believe that it is critical that we have a robust international civil service, which can attract the best talents to its ranks.

A high-quality, dedicated, competent and adequately compensated national civil service is essential for good governance, and vital to any nation’s economic and social well-being, and the enhancement of the quality of its citizens’ lives.  This is especially true in developing countries.  By extension, these qualities of professionalism and service are of paramount importance for a strong international civil service.

As all of you are very much aware, the United Nations has recently been under intense criticism and has sustained unrelenting attacks.  At a time when the world is also facing multiple and severe, interconnected threats, such as HIV/AIDS, terrorism, poverty, genocide, massive violations of human rights and civil wars, it is especially crucial that the United Nations reform currently under way is successfully implemented.  I am confident that the Member States will do their best to achieve this common and vital objective, which includes a strengthened Secretariat as a guarantee for a more effective United Nations.

I wish you a productive Annual Assembly and a joyful celebration of this milestone in AFICS’ history.  I hope that all of you will “maintain the international perspective and collegiality you enjoyed while you were staff members”, to quote Ms. Jane Weidland, Honorary Member of the AFICS Governing Board.  I also hope that you will continue your efforts and support on behalf of all former international civil servants and the Organization, including by encouraging young and less experienced United Nations staff to follow your example of idealism and dedication in the service of humanity.

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