Defining Moment for Human Values
A snapshot of the 56th Session of the General Assembly
By Vikram Sura with V. Maria Morgan
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| The United Nations General Assembly, 2001-2002. (Chronicle Photo) |
“If, as has been said, ‘the price of liberty is eternal vigilance’, the price of civilized and humane international order is no less.”
Han Seung-soo
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea
President of the 56th session of the General Assembly
“Clearly, 11 September has only reinforced that we are facing unprecedented challenges, global issues with no borders: the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; organized crime; and international terrorism.”
Ambassador André Erdos of Hungary
Chairman of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security)
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Site chosen for UN Headquarters in New York, 1949. (UN Photo) |
“We are living in a different world in the last decade. Globalization was sold as a panacea for everything and for solving all the problems of development. But in reality we realize nowadays globalization - being probably a very important instrument to disseminate wealth and growth in the world - needs to be regulated and needs to be taken in a sort of a more human face.”
Ambassador Francisco Seixas da Costa of Portugal
Chairman of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial)
“It is hard to set apart one issue from others and select it as the most important item within the Third Committee. However, if one had to be identified, it would probably be the rights of the child. If only simply for the fact that children are amongst the most, if not the most, vulnerable group in society.”
Ambassador Fuad Mubarak Al-Hinai of Oman
Chairman of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural)
“We deal with lots of issues. Some are highly contentious, like decolonization, because there are still remnants of colonialism left in the world.”
Ambassador Hasmy Agam of Malaysia
Chairman of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization)
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| The first session of the General Assembly opened on 10 January 1946 in London. British Prime Minister Clement Atlee is seen addressing the Assembly. (UN Photo) |
“While the 56th session of the Sixth Committee can be seen as productive and successful, certain issues still remain to be worked on with the view of achieving consensus. The Working Group on the elaboration of a draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism was not able to finalize a comprehensive convention.”
Ambassador Pierre Lelong of Haiti
Chairman of the Sixth Committee (Legal)
“The results-based budget format provides a coherent framework for a more rational allocation of resources, with the broad policy direction of the Charter of the United Nations. It is expected to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness in the general fulfillment of mandates entrusted to the Secretary-General by Member States.”
Ambassador Nana Effah-Apenteng of Ghana
Chairman of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary)
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