Page 223 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

Bringing the Concept to Life

undermine the Organization's ability to pay Member States who contribute
troops and equipment, and who are already owed more than US$ 900 million. I
don't think that I need to go into detail on what an almost 4 billion dollars
deficit does to the efficiency of any organization. If it is to effectively undertake
the many tasks it is asked to perform, the Member States must make the
necessary monies available to the United Nations, on time and in full.

Over the years, the United Nations has undertaken numerous ambitious
projects: some to respond to crises - both by prevention and through solutions
- others to assist in development and the protection of basic human rights. Of
course, there have been setbacks. But they should not be allowed to
overshadow the many successes, such as Cambodia, El Salvador, Haiti.
Mozambique and Namibia. The Secretary-General once said that:
“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.”

I think he is right! The United Nations system works throughout the world
in developing and implementing programmes, projects and policies designed
to make our world a better place. If one asks the question: what would the
world look like today if there had been no United Nations? My guess is that
most of us would agree that it probably would be worse off. The UN system
touches upon and influences every human activity and does so as objectively, as
cheaply, and as efficiently as anything that one would have to invent today to
do the same extraordinarily complex job.

Here in Geneva you will, in your daily work, come in contact with several
of the members of this our United Nations family. Perhaps better than any oth-
er duty station you can here get close to the many and varied aspects of the
work of the system: Human Rights, Disarmament, Economic and Social Devel-
opment, Trade, Labour and Health questions, Refugees, Telecommunications,
Intellectual Property Rights, etc. Here at the Palais, you may follow the talks on
former Yugoslavia, on Georgia, on Tajikistan and other conflict areas. The list
is long, varied and interesting. I wish you much success in your work and your
stay in Geneva. And, above all, I wish you clarity of vision. You are, after all, the
vital link between ourselves and our main constituents - the Member States.
Your active participation in the work of the different legislative fora is crucial to
the good functioning of the organizations they govern. And your lucid and in-
formed reporting back to your capitals is crucial for the continued strong
support of your Governments for our work.

201