UN Day celebrated in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 October 2004, 21:30 GMT]
"Sri Lanka has a strong human development record compared to other developing nations. However, since 1990, poverty level has decreased only marginally, and in several areas of Sri Lanka the situation has worsened," said Ms Gabriela Elroy, UNICEF district head in the east port town at the reception held Sunday evening at the Trincomalee Welcombe Hotel to mark the United Nations (UN) Day which fell on October 24.

Ms Gabriela Elroy speaking while UNHCR Field Co-ordinator Ms Brita Helleland, UNDP Field Co-ordinator Ms Anne Hoseth,UNHCR Associate Field Co-ordinator Ms Sarah Lindval and other officials listen

Trincomalee district representatives of UN agencies functioning in Trincomalee, non-governmental agencies and civil groups participated in the reception.

"In Trincomalee, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, ILO, WFP, FAO, WHO, and the World Bank are actively working with a variety of Government Departments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Community Based Organizations (CBO) and other international organizations to support Sri Lanka to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015," Ms Elroy said.

"The United Nations is not a world government and it does not make laws. It does however, provide the means to support international co-operation and formulate policies on matters affecting all of us. It also has an important role in promoting respect for internationally agreed upon standards for human rights," said Ms Elroy.

"On behalf of the Resident Co-ordinator in Sri Lanka, I take this opportunity to re-affirm the support on the part of the UN agencies in Sri Lanka to the country's efforts aimed at achieving sustainable human development, Ms Elroy added.

UN Day message of the Secretary General was distributed to the participants. The UN Secretary General said in his message:

"Today is UN Day.

"59 years ago, the UN was founded as an instrument of peace, human rights and development. The world is a better place because of the UN. But too many people are today the victims of violence, oppression, poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease.

"We can and must do better. All people deserve to live free from fear and want. They must have hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Our common humanity requires it. Our common security demands it.

"Each nation needs a government that truly serves it people. And we all need an effective UN-one that reflects the world we live in today, and can meet the challenges we will face tomorrow.

"I believe we can build a better UN. That's why I will soon be putting before world leaders a package of measures to renew the Organization. It will be up to your leaders to respond with vision and goodwill. They must find common ground at a historic meeting this time next year.

"I ask you to encourage your leaders to give our world the UN it deserves. With your help, I know we can do it.

"We are in a new era. We need a new United Nations. Let's make it happen."