Page 175 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

Bringing the Concept to Life

the efforts of its Member States to channel the global and regional changes into
non-violent, evolutionary, democratic ways. The world needs the United
Nations. However, for the World Organization to fulfil its mission it needs the
support and participation of all actors of the international scene which share its
aims and principles. The contribution of the business community to world
development makes this community a natural partner of the United Nations in
its quest for peace, stability and prosperity.

4. It is very encouraging that the European Business Council has selected
Geneva for this event. The comparable advantage of this city is that it is not
only the location of the second largest headquarters of the United Nations but
also a place which has a long and impressive tradition of dialogue between
private actors and the international political and economic structures. The
Chamber of Commerce, the World Economic Forum at Davos, and other fora
and clubs have already established high standards of such dialogue.

5. Welcoming the appearance of the European Business Council in the
family of the Switzerland-based non-governmental organizations I would like
to assure you that the United Nations Office at Geneva stands ready for close
cooperation with the European Business Council as it has with other private
actors.

Thank you for your attention.

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