UNITED
NATIONS
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
News and Highlights from the President
President
delivered Statement before the General Assembly on Receipt of the Nobel
Peace Prize; had luncheon hosted by Mr. Joseph Reed, David Rockefeller
14 December 2001
General Assembly President Han Seung-soo presided over the plenary this morning, and he started out by sharing his experience in Oslo with the representatives. He said among other things that he wished that they could have been there as well, and continued: “Since 1945, the international community and the peoples of the world have exerted their best efforts, often with high hopes, for the realization of global peace and well-being through the United Nations. Our efforts have not always been successful, nor our successes always permanent. But we should not be discouraged. I have no doubt that, were it not for the United Nations, humankind could hardly have advanced so far as it has in realizing the vision of the UN’s founding fathers in 1945.” He confirmed that he would consult closely with regard to how the prize money should be spent.
Dr. Han announced that, after consultations with Member States, he had reappointed Mr. Slade and Mr. Simcock as co-chairs of the consultative process on Ocean Affairs.
The Assembly then took up the draft resolution on the report of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), which was introduced by Australia. The draft resolution was adopted with 150 votes in favour, 1 against and 2 abstentions.
Next, the Assembly turned to the outcome of the Millennium Summit and adopted draft resolution A/56/L.48 without a vote. The same action was taken with regards to the draft resolutions on new or restored democracies, on the return of cultural property and on cooperation with the Latin American Economic System.
It then took up the Report of the Economic and Social Council and later dealt with a number of draft resolutions regarding humanitarian and disaster relief assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, East Timor, Central America, Somalia, Djibouti, Eastern European states affected by developments in the Balkans, the Palestinian People, the Sudan and also one regarding the Chernobyl disaster.
Dr. Han had luncheon hosted by Mr. Joseph Reed, and Mr. David Rockefeller today.
Full
text of Statement before the General Assembly on Receipt of the
Nobel Peace Prize