We should focus our attention on equitable development There can be no peace without sustainable development
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein addresses ceremony to mark 59th Anniversary UN Day

YANGON, 23 Oct — The ceremony to mark the 59th Anniversary United Nations Day was held at Pyithu Hluttaw Building on Pyay Road, here, at 6 pm today, with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein.
Also present on the occasion were Daw Khin Khin Win, wife of Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, the ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor and their wives, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Singaporean Ambassador Mr Simon Tensing de Cruz and ambassadors, charges d’affaires ai of foreign missions, diplomats and UN Coordinator Mr Charles James Petrie, resident representatives of UN agencies, departmental heads, representatives of social organizations, local and foreign journalists and guests.

First, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein delivered an address. He said:

It is an honor and a privilege to speak on this special occasion, marking the 59th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations which came into being nearly six decades ago. Since then, there have been rapidly growing trends towards multipolarization and economic globalization which has been made possible by the progressive dismantling of barriers to trade and capital mobility. In spite of these positive trends and of common endeavour for peace and prosperity in the century gone by, the world is still not free from conflicts and miseries. The century we left behind was littered with many turning points in the history of humanity. There were certain moments in which the United Nations managed to prevent major conflicts. Those were the powerful demonstrations of what could be achieved through a multilateral approach to conflict management. Yet there were a few other areas where solution remained elusive.

The Millennium Summit, commemorating the turn of a new country, gave an opportunity to address the role of the United Nations in the 21st century. That extraordinary gathering of leaders from all over the world reflected in the rapidly changing world, discussed the emerging challenges facing us, and collectively sought lasting solutions to them. They decided on the parameters of our collective vision for the 21st century. On that solemn occasion, the vision of the international community rededicated itself to the vision of the United Nations Charter and to the strengthening of the Organization.

The unique role of the United Nations in the new globalization era derived from the shared values embodied in the Charter. The emergence of a global economy provides benefits like faster growth, higher living standards, and new possibilities in science and technology. However, there still exists a huge gap between the developed and the developing countries. Accordingly, we should focus our attention on equitable development, by ensuring that development is not the preserve of a few.

Globalization is supposed to generate economic equality among all nations through free flow of goods, services and capitals. It provides us with vast opportunities, but currently its benefits are unevenly distributed while its costs are borne by all. Globalization should be a positive force for all the world’s people. The United Nations, should play a leadership role in helping the poorer nations develop the capacity to cope with the new challenges and to profit from globalization and the knowledge revolution.

The purpose and principles of the United Nations, a legitimate expression of the collective will of the peoples of the world, must remain relevant to all. The maintenance of world peace is a pressing global issue facing the United Nations. It is the necessary precondition for the promotion of common development, which in turn serves as guarantee for the maintenance of world peace. There can be no peace without sustainable development and no development without lasting peace. They go hand in hand in all parts of the world. International peace cannot be divorced from the need for equal and legitimate security for all.

At the dawn of a new century, we are faced with various issues, apart from that of peace and security, such as poverty, infectious diseases, crime and environmental degradation that threaten the existence and dignity of each and every person. The United Nations must continue to be on the vanguard of the global efforts towards the emancipation of all of humankind from these ills.

In connection, I would like to take this opportunities to reaffirm our seriousness and commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which have provided timeless and universal. We should reinforce, on this special occasion, the political will and momentum of the Millennium Summit in order to translate the commitments into concrete action. Next, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win read out the message to mark the 59th Anniversary UN Day sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe. (The message of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe is reported separately.)

Afterwards, UN Coordinator Mr Charles James Petrie read out the message sent by UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan. (The message of UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan is reported separately.)

Later, artistes of the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture presented traditional dances to the audience.