Page 152 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

Georgia, Liberia. Yemen, and the former Yugoslavia. Increasingly, Heads of
State and Government are coming to Geneva not just to deliver speeches, but
to meet with the Heads of specialized agencies and other UN entities based
here. Of the Organization's 17 specialized agencies, more than one third are
based in Switzerland - five of which have their headquarters here in Geneva,
and one in Bern.

The 50th Anniversary provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the
past, take stock of the present and prepare for the future. Given Geneva's rich
religious and political history - specifically as it relates to the United Nations - it
is appropriate that many events are being planned to observe this milestone. I
am, therefore, very grateful for the goodwill and support that the Swiss
Confederation, the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and the City of Geneva
have demonstrated in planning, funding and implementing several UN50
projects. Working together with Swiss officials such as Mr. Flavio Cotti, State
Counsellor in charge of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of
Switzerland; Mr. Olivier Vodoz, President of the State Council of the Republic
and Canton of Geneva; and Mr. Dominique Föllmi, President of the Geneva
Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations; the 50th
Anniversary will be not only an event to commemorate the United Nations,
but also an occasion to celebrate Geneva as the symbol of international
solidarity and its “spirit of openness".

Geneva will host a number of major conferences and special events that
will not only sensitize public opinion. but will also mobilize it. For example, on
Sunday, 15 October of this year, the United Nations Office in Geneva will hold
an Open House, which will provide the public with a first-hand view of
United Nations activities in an historical perspective. As the Secretary-
General stated in his “Supplement to an Agenda for Peace”,

“There is no reason for frustration or pessimism. More progress has been
made in the past few years towards using the United Nations as it was
designed to be used than many could ever have predicted."

The United Nations is particularly encouraged to see that, not only
Member States, but international organizations and specialized agencies, local
communities, non-governmental organizations and academic groups are
coming forward with constructive ideas and projects. The activism and social
awareness of today's youth make me optimistic that the ideals of the United
Nations Charter will find an increasingly receptive audience as together we
enter the 21st century.

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