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18.

STATEMENT
OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
МR. VLADIMIR PETROVSKY
ОN THE UN5О IN GENEVA
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE

24 November 1994

1. It gives me great pleasure to appear before you today. Let me begin by
welcoming the other participants in this press conference, Mr. François
Nordmann, Ambassador, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of
Switzerland; Mr. Claude Haegi, President of the State Council of the Republic
and Canton of Geneva; and Мr. Dominique Föllmi, President of the Geneva
Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations. It is significant that
this panel is here today on this special occasion.

2. The issue before us is the launching of the events in the city of Geneva
and at the United Nations Office at Geneva for the 50th Anniversary of the
United Nations in 1995. The importance of these events cannot be
underestimated. For today, the United Nations, at its 50th year of existence
stands at а crossroads of history when international relations and the whole
paradigm of the world civilization are being rethought and reconsidered.
Nearly everywhere, we are facing new challenges - in the maintenance of peace
and security, the pursuit of justice and protection of human rights, the
improvement of the living conditions of peoples throughout the world, and
global governance. The 50th Anniversary is both а reflection of the past and the
present and а look into the future.

3. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has placed а great
emphasis on the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the United

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