UN turns 63

The United Nations established in 1945 in the aftermath of history’s most devastating war with the foremost objective of maintaining international peace and security completes 63 years of existence today. The 63rd anniversary of the organisation that now brings together 192 nations under its umbrella comes at a time when the world is going through a worsening financial crisis in addition to escalation of fuel and food prices.

The Current global uncertainty appears to have reinforced people’s confidence in the United Nations as evident by speeches made by world leaders during the recently concluded general debate of the 63rd regular session of the UN General Assembly.

Speaker after speaker both from developed and developing world reaffirmed 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 humanity is facing. They called on the organisation to give leadership in addressing the unfolding political, economic and social crises.

The United Nations on its part has been advocating for many decades the idea that “common problems need common solutions.” Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General, in his message to mark the 63rd anniversary says, “We can see more clearly than ever that the threats of the 21st century spare no one. Climate change, the spread of disease and deadly weapons, and the scourge of terrorism all cross borders. Never has leadership and partnership been more important. Partnership is the way of the future.” The same was reiterated by Miguel d’Escoto, President of the sixty third session of the General Assembly when he said, “The world’s severe problems must be approached in a spirit of global sisterhood and brotherhood,” answering questions during a press conference last September.

While the United Nations is being faulted by some for not doing enough in solving worsening global problems it continues to win world recognition for services it renders to the humanity. For example, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Martti Ahtisaari, the former United Nations special envoy for Kosovo. In 2007, a UN subsidiary body, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) won the prestigious award to be shared with a former US Vice President. The UN system has been awarded Nobel Peace Prize several times before.

During the past 63 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 disarmament, strengthening international cooperation and environmental conservation, are a few among the remarkable achievements. In 2000, a new Human Rights body with enhanced powers and jurisdiction by the name Human Rights Council was established replacing the Commission on Human Rights.

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 development effort.

The smooth flow of 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.

In spite of these achievements the UN admits that it is far from perfect. It has to change itself in a fast changing world. The end of the cold war and the on set of the process of globalisation have posed new challenges on one hand and opened new opportunities on the other. The international community expects that UN today should reflect realities of today’s world.The UN presence in Sri Lanka was one of its earliest established in a developing country.

It began in 1952, even before the country became a member of the United Nations on December 14, 1955. Ever since, Sri Lanka has had mutually beneficial and fruitful relations with the United Nations. The United system is an important source of financial, material and technical support to Sri Lanka.

At present, the UN System is helping the Government to distribute essential humanitarian supplies for the people in conflict affected areas of Wanni.

Message by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on United Nations Day, October 24.

21st Century threats spare no one

“We can see more clearly than ever that the threats on the 21st century spare no one. Climate change, the spread of disease and deadly weapons, and the scourge of terrorism all cross borders. If we want to advance the global common good, we must secure global public goods,” says Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations in his message to mark UN’s Day which falls on October 24.

His full message:

“On this 63rd anniversary of our Organisation, I join you in celebrating UN Day. This is a crucial year in the life of our United Nations. We have just passed the midpoint in the struggle to reach the Millennium Development Goals - our common vision for building a better world in the 21st century. We can see more clearly than ever that the threats of the 21st century spare no one. Climate change, the spread of disease and deadly weapons, and the scourge of terrorism all cross borders. If we want to advance the global common good, we must secure global public goods.

Many countries are still not on track to reach the Millennium Development Goals by the target date of 2015. I am also deeply concerned about the impact of the global financial crisis. Never has leadership and partnership been more important.

This makes our success at the high-level MDG event in September all the more remarkable. We brought together a broad coalition for change Governments, CEOs and civil society. We generated unprecedented commitment in pledges and partnerships to help the world’s poor.

The final tally is not in yet, but the total amount pledged at the MDG event may exceed 16 billion dollars.

Partnership is the way of the future. Just look at the advances on malaria. Our global malaria effort has brought us within range of containing a disease that kills a child every 30 seconds. It is doing so through focused country planning. Greater funding, Coordinated global management, Top-notch science and technology.

We need models like these to tackle other challenges, including climate change, as we approach the conferences on Poznan and Copenhagen. We need them to achieve all the other Millennium Development Goals.

Let us keep building on this as a way forward. There is no time to lose. The United Nations must deliver results for a safer, healthier, more prosperous world. On this UN Day, I call on all partners and leaders to do their part and keep the promise.”