Page 486 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

Award was an inspiration for all of us, and our colleagues have demonstrated a
high sense of dedication and responsibility during that meeting with him.

Needless to say that we at the UN are facing ever increasing pressure to
meet the never ending challenges of a new emerging world. I am proud to state
that you, staff members at Geneva, an integral part of the UN system, have
contributed your share, both here and in the field, to the activities of our
Organization. The enormity of tasks undertaken has forced us to acquire a
sense of new realism - an awareness that we have embarked upon a long path
towards progress which would be marked by many difficulties, and also by
supreme sacrifice of some. In the past months we have lost ten colleagues, in
Georgia and Afghanistan. It would be appropriate in these somber times to pay
tribute to the memory of all staff members who have lost their lives in the
service of humanity.

Human resources are always high on the UN agenda. The General Assem-
bly has given a green light to proceed with the implementation of the Secretary-
General’s Reform Programme on Human Resources Management. This is a
vote of confidence by Member States for the Secretary-General’s vision of an
Organization that fosters management excellence and that is accountable for
achieving results determined by the Member States.

The implementation of the reform programme will enable us to recruit,
develop and manage staff in a more effective way. Among other things
managers will be able to make final selection of their own staff and will be fully
accountable for these actions. Mobility across functions, departments,
occupations, duty stations and organizations of the UN system is being
introduced to vitalize the staff of the United Nations, providing more
opportunities for diversity and career enhancement. Reform of the internal
justice system is underway, and contractual arrangements are being reviewed.

Today, I would like to express my warmest thanks and congratulations to
each and every one of you for the successful performance of your respective
duties, for your unfailing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the Organization
in creating a better and safer world for everyone. When I speak about a better
world for everyone of which we all dream, I have in mind, first of all the
necessity of generational interaction, and in particular, the role of young
people, who could and should contribute to constructive work for the future.

In the world of global transformations, of rapid advancements in various
fields of human activity where new technology makes life easier, and computers

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