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| Friday, 24 October 2003 |
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At 58 - tough times ahead for UN The United Nations which was created on the ashes of the most devastating war in human history with the foremost objective of ensuring world peace and security completes 58 years of existence today. The anniversary has come at a painful and difficult time for the world and for the organisation. The war against Iraq caused deep divisions among members of the Security Council, the organ which is entrusted with the task of preserving and promoting world peace and security. This has resulted in pessimism and cynicism in certain quarters, some of them even questioning the credibility of the organisation. In many parts of the world terrorism continued to bring destruction to human lives and civilian property. In the Middle East, the vicious cycle of violence and counter-violence defied all attempts aimed at reconciliation. In Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, violence has continued to escalate. In Baghdad the United Nations itself suffered a deliberate assault during which it lost some of its highly respected and dedicated staff members. Overcoming challenges However while the 58th anniversary was approaching, the United Nations was able to put its act together proving its ability to overcome challenges. Only a week before the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that deals with Iraq's future. World leaders, one after the other addressing the regular sessions of the General Assembly commenced in the third week of September, re-affirmed their faith in the United Nations as the most dependable instrument in maintaining international peace and security and the major forum for finding solutions to common problems of the humanity. During the past 58 years, the United Nations has played either the leading or a significant role in ushering in numerous progressive changes in the history of the human race. The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and several human rights covenants, eradication of small pox from the surface of the earth, facilitation of the resolution of numerous armed conflicts, international agreements aimed at environmental conservation, are a few among the remarkable achievements. Helped millions The world body has helped millions of people to free themselves from the yoke of colonialism. UN peacekeepers have helped to stabilise regional disputes and its humanitarian missions have alleviated suffering throughout the world. The challenges faced by developing countries have been at the forefront of the United Nations economic activities. International transactions The smooth flow of the international transactions is made possible by rules of the road devised by the United Nations and its agencies. The world's people are healthier and lead longer and productive lives - thanks to the eradication of diseases, the improvement of nutritional standards, the promotion of agricultural development, the campaigns for literacy and the advocacy of the rights of women and children. The UN however believes, a lot more has to be done. The end of the cold war and the on set of the process of globalisation have passed new challenges in one hand and opened new opportunities on the other. The United Nations has to change itself in a fast changing world. Hence a reform process has been initiated by the present Secretary General, Kofi Annan. When Sri Lanka embarked on a peace process a year before to find a lasting solution to the two decades long debilitating conflict, the UN system in Sri Lanka re-oriented its programmes and activities in order to support the peace effort. Reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement became priority areas. (- UNIC) |
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