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유엔협회세계연맹총회 개회식 축사<영문>

  • 작성자 : 김진옥
  • 등록일 : 2009.08.11
  • 조회수 : 3090
Mr. Secretary-General of the UN,
President Hans Blix,
President Kim Seung Youn,
Excellencies,
Distinguished members of the World Federation of UN Associations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor and a pleasure for me to be here at the 39th triennial Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA).

I thank President Hans Blix and WFUNA for their kind invitation to speak at this meaningful event, and President Kim Seung Youn and the United Nations Association of the Republic of Korea (UNA-Korea) for hosting this gathering in Seoul.

On behalf of the government of the Republic of Korea, I would like to extend warmest welcome to UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon and all other foreign guests who are here with us today. It also gives me a great pleasure to express my deep appreciation to the Secretary-General for his unparalleled leadership in guiding the global community through various new challenges over the past years.

Let me also note that this meeting carries a historical significance being the first of its kind to be hosted in Seoul since the UNA-Korea joined WFUNA some 40 years ago. As Korea's ties with WFUNA predate the country's admission to the UN by more than 20 years, profound relations between the two have developed throughout the years.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

This Assembly meets at a crossroads of global challenges, pronounced by the recent food, energy, climate and financial crises coupled with international security issues. In today's globalized world, the removal of distance accelerates and deepens the consequences felt by the peoples and societies across the world. Greater demands than ever are being placed on the United Nations for provision of global governance.

Two months ago, the 2nd Special Meeting of the Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly, which I co-chaired with the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Julian Hunte, was held in Seoul to take stock of these global issues. Similarly, it is timely that this Assembly is addressing issues spanning the security, development and social dimensions to expand our realm of understanding and spur momentum for cooperative problem solving.

The global community with the UN at the forefront has placed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the issues of climate change as its priority agenda on the road to sustainable development. While progress has been uneven and formidable challenges remain, we are working to stop and reverse the adverse effects of recent global crises. Alongside, peace and disarmament issues continue to rise to the fore.

The latest security developments on the Korean Peninsula involving the UN Security Council reinforce the importance of international security and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The United Nations, while leading the efforts to address all these issues, continues to reform itself to become more flexible and effective in its work.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The overarching theme of this Assembly, "global citizens for the United Nations," is particularly relevant at such a challenging time. It no longer suffices for you and for me to be part of globalization as onlookers. Instead, each one of us is prompted to step up as "global citizens" and map out and realign the landscape of globalization in the context of new multilateralism.

Let me emphasize that global citizens are not merely people who live in this globalized world. What is called for is a world-wide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one's race, class and nation. Essentially, a global citizen must have a global mindset to think global.

As "a peoples' movement for the United Nations," WFUNA is called on to play an increased role. If the UN is an embodiment of hope, WFUNA must now serve as the place where rhetoric and reality meet. Together with other UN affiliated groups, WFUNA should serve as the platform for bridging actors from across sectors.

In addition to its on-going work to inform, educate and enlighten its national constituencies about the UN's promise and performances, WFUNA can help alter the mindset of the peoples to make global agenda their own. The great source of inspiration for WFUNA is that it is a melting pot of different cultures and traditions. I am convinced that WFUNA's Global Citizen Campaign will generate "people-centered," "people-driven" engagement and build greater capacity to connect people to the United Nations.

In this regard, UNA-Korea, under the able leadership of President Kim Seung Youn has played an indispensable role in mobilizing civil society's support for the UN and its agenda. In particular, it continues to bring the United Nations closer to the young people through its annual activities as Model UN conferences.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank WFUNA for the rich contributions it brings to the United Nations' activities especially since the turn of the new millennium. While serving as the President of the 56th Session of the UN General Assembly as well as in various other capacities, I found WFUNA's work on the three pillars of the United Nations peace, security and human rights extremely useful. I look forward to further contributions by WFUNA in policy debates, especially in integrating its three-year "Global Citizens Campaign" into the broader context of the UN agenda.

As WFUNA Seoul Declaration to be adopted on Wednesday will encapsulate the valuable thoughts and the spirit of the 39th Plenary Assembly, I am hopeful that its recommendations will be fully taken into account by UN Member States and other relevant groups. I am confident that WFUNA's uniting and supportive work will help move forward the United Nations endeavors to "deliver as one" on multiple fronts.

Since this will be the last official meeting for Dr. Hans Blix and Ms. Pera Wells as the President and Secretary-General of WFUNA, I would like to most warmly commend them for their stewardship and guidance over the past years. Their unwavering dedication and insightful wisdom will be long remembered in the minds of the peoples gathered here today and UN loving people all over the world. Allow me to also extend a warm welcome to the incoming President and Secretary-General in advance who will lead WFUNA with vigor and inspiration into the future.

Let me close by expressing my best wishes to the 39th WFUNA Assembly and to all the participants here today. The Korean people and government will continue to work closely with WFUNA to promote global citizenship around the world.

Thank you.