text: Wealsocommend yourii1ustrious predecessor, Mr.paulLusakaofZambia,for theexemplary mannerinwhichhedischarged hisduties. Allofuswerethe beneficiaries ofhisexceptional abilities andhisdignified manner. Forthis,we shallalwaysbegrateful. Wearealsograteful tothehostcountry andthehostcityforthemannerin whichwehavebeenreceived. Manypeoplehaveworkedveryhardtoensurethe comfort andsafetyofthevarious delegations represented heretoday. We appreciate thepatience, understanding andgoodwill ofthepeopleofthisgreat nationandthisgreatcity.Thepresence ofsomanyHeadsofstateorGovernment hereatthesametimehasnotbeeneasytomanage, butallinvolved havedonea commendable job.Thegeneral pUblic, representatives ofthevariouscity,state andfederal agencies, andthemembersoftheunitedNationsSecretariat haveall earnedourthanks. Itrustthatthissameteamwork andspiritofco-operation will inthefuturesymbolize theinternational community's relationship withtheCityof NewYork. TheSecretary-General ofourOrganization hasearnedareputation forcandour andobjectivity. Hisanalytical andthought-provoking annualreportenhances that much-deserved reputation. Ashehassocapably pointed out,thequestion beforeus now,asalways,is "notsomuchthefutureoftheUnitedNations asthefutureofhumanity andof ourplanetandtheroleoftheunitedNations inthatfuture". (A/40/l, para.1) Theopeningofthissession has,insomequarters, generated analmost unprecedented interest intheOrganization. Thenewsmediaandgeneralcitizenry ofcountries whichhaveinrecentyearsbeenindifferent totheUnitedNations seem tohaveaheightened senseofawareness ofsomeoftheitemsonouragenda. Our-----------~-----~ .' BC't/ve A/40/rN ..28 31· (PatherLini, Van~at~) day-to-day wor~stilldoesnotcapt~re muchofth~irattention,. b~tatleastthis session seemstohavegeneratea 80IIeinterest in~rwork.OneMighthavetogo... -. backtotheearly si~ties, oreventotheinception oftheUnitedNations, to recallacomparable levelofinterest. Unfortunately, interest inaneventdoesnotalways,bringwithitknowledge or ~nderstanding ofthevario~s perspectives onas~b5tantive q~estl~n. Oneofthe ~....:.:: challenges wefaceishowwecantransforM theinterest inthi~~even~;,the commemoration ofthefortieth a~niversary ofthefo~nding ofthe,~nited Nations, intoabroader knowledge ofandappreciation forthes~bstantive workofthis Organization. TherearecynicswhodonotbelievethattheUnitedNations servesanyusef~l purpose. TherearesomepeoplewhofeelthatwhatgoodtheunitedNations doesis outweighed bywasteandinefficiency, divisive political debates andstrident rhetoric. Thereareotherswhoknowbetter, b~tbeca~se theUnitedNations no longerservestheirinterests totheextentitoncedid,theydeliberately distort andmisrepresent thehistoryof'thisorganization, andtheyseidom.1ssan opportunity tosmearitsgoodname. Nolegislative bodyanywhere intheworldiswitho~titscritics. Thisis trueoflegislative bodiesinbigco~ntries andsmall,andinnewStatesandolder, more-established Stateswhichcallthemselves democracies. CriticiSM itselfis healthy andcanbeaconstructive tool-fordevelopaeent andadvanceent. Itcan alsobeadishonest efforttointimidate ratherthanreform. TheunitedNationsisperhapseasiertocriticize because, althoughithasthe appearance ofalegislative body,itdoesnothavethepowersofalegislative body.Thosewhowishtoprolong apolitical crisisknowthattheunitedNations cannotenforceitswillwithout theco-operation ofitsMembers. Thus,itdoesnot~/ve A/40/PV.28 38 (FatherLini.Vanuatu) Makesensetomaintain. assotIedo,thattheUnitedNations hasnotbeenableto solveanyoftheworld's lIa~orpolitical probleMs. Asweallknow.andasthesecretary-General hasrestated. -TheUnitedNations cannot-andwasnotintended to-solve.!!! the pr~'e.s oftheinternational caBmunity .~.-(A/40/1. para.9) Wecreated animperfect Organization. Ourownsovereign rightsasindividual nationsli.itthescopeandeffectofourdecisions astheUnitedNations. Ifwe wishtocreateastronger Organization -onewhichhasanability toimplement its decisions -itisuptoustodoso.- Thatisnotanewtheme. Everyone hereknowsthatitistrue.eventhough somedonotwishtoadmitit.Ontheotherhand,allofusknowthattheUnited Nations hasmanaged toacca.plish agreatdealinother,veryimportant areas. Today,millions ofpeoplehavehomestoliveinandfoodtoeatbecauseofthe workofthespecialized agencies oftheUnitedNations. Millions ofpeoplecan readandwriteandseetheirreplaceable treasures oftheirowncultures because of theworkofthespecialized agencies oftheUnitedNations. Millions ofpeopleno longerfearcertain diseases because oftheworkofthespecialized agencies ofthe UnitedNations. Racismandcolonialism arenolongeracceptable modesof international behaviour, thanksinparttotheunitedNations. Arenotthesethingsthatweshouldallbeproudof?Whyisitthatsome amonguscantakeprideonlyinhowmanypeopletheyarecapable ofkillingor maiming inafewshortseconds? Whyisitthatsomeamonguscantakeprideonly inhowmanymaterial possessions they ~Q~einrelation tohowfewothershave? Why isitthatsomeamonguscantakeprideonlyincompeting withnature's abilityto destroy ratherthanwithnature's abilitytocreate?f1Cl/ve A/40/J!f1.28 39-40 (PatherLini,vanuatu) Thisyear,.orethaneverbefore,.U11on8 ofpeoplearehopingandpraying that ,,~,theleidersoftheworld,willCOIHtooursensesandhea~whattheyhave
analysis: The text appears to be a speech or statement by a high-ranking official, possibly the Secretary-General of the United Nations, discussing the organization's 40th anniversary and its role in promoting international cooperation, addressing global challenges, and highlighting its achievements. The text touches on various topics, including the importance of the United Nations, its limitations, and the need for collective action to address global issues.