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4.

STATEMENT
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE UNION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE EXECUTIVES
OF THE GENEVA CANTON

March 1993

Mr. Vice-President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I t is a great pleasure for me to participate in this celebration of the

th
25 anniversary of the Union of the Administrative Executives or
the Geneva Canton. The city of Geneva is one of the largest
European centres of international interactions. This happened because of the
spirit of openness, responsibility, freedom, and humanism which is so common
among the people of Geneva and which has allowed this city to win a
worldwide recognition. It also happened due to the increasing cooperation
between the United Nations and the federal authorities as well as the heads of
the administration of the City and the Geneva Canton, which I felt from my
first steps in Geneva.

Today about 70 per cent of all UN functions in the humanitarian field, in
economic affairs and in disarmament negotiations stems from Geneva. Nearly
300 conferences are held here every year representing almost 7,000 meetings.

With the development of multilateral diplomacy Geneva too has a chance
of acquiring even more importance and becoming a Europolis, one of the focal
points of the emerging system of peace, cooperation and security based on the
UN Charter. I would like to assure you that it is the intention of the United
Nations Secretary-General to enhance the role of Geneva as the international
capital. Indeed, with its vast knowledge and experience Geneva can take new
additional responsibilities in various fields of the UN activities.

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