New opportunities for a new century

Tomorrow's challenge:

To act and to innovate collectively

Address

by

Mr. Adolf Ogi

President of the Swiss Confederation

Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports

on the occasion of the

United Nations Organization Millennium Summit

New York, 7 September 2000

History continues

The time has not stopped with the end of the Cold History continues War.

No, it has continued, and time has even accelerated. History goes on.

Tackling a new millennium, we even have the chance to write an entirely new page in the history of humankind.

This is an opportunity. An opportunity to go forward. To make progress. We must grasp this opportunity.

The century we all were born in was one of great discoveries:

- in science, in technology,

- in economy, in culture.

But the century we all were born in was also one of conflicts, of human tragedy. Never has the world seen

- greater crimes, more violent wars

- more terrible suffering.

Despite all efforts... Since President Wilson.

Yes, we are entering a new century, a new millennium.

What we leave to future generations depends on our common will, our common effort.

Without this will, without this effort, what would we leave behind?

Common values

Switzerland shares the goals of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Millennium Report.

Mister Secretary-General: Thank you for your visions! Thank you for your untiring efforts! Switzerland is with you!

Switzerland shares the United Nations values:

- peace and stability,

- democracy and human rights.

This is why Switzerland's intends to enhance its relations with the United Nations.

Switzerland hosts in Geneva an important headquarters of the UN system.

Switzerland is member of most organizations of the United Nations system.

We contribute, generously, to the UN budget.

But today Switzerland has, in the General Assembly, only the status of an observer.

Peace, security, well-being are concerns of the whole mankind!

Vote in 2002

The Swiss people will decide on our request for Vote in 2002 UN membership in 2002.

New face of war

Wars and violence are, despite all our hopes, still New face of war facts of life.

But within one century the face of war has changed.

Wars take place less frequently between states, but increasingly within states.

The participants - their organization and their way of doing things - and their goals are of a new type.

This new type of conflict is often of local or regional nature, played out along ethnic lines, and involving terrorism.

These conflicts can destabilize entire countries.

Their consequences are felt across borders.

They leave a lasting physical and mental impact on the people, on the minds.

It has become more difficult to ensure respect for international humanitarian law.

Because we do not deal with states only.

We cannot remain passive, confronted with this suffering, with these tragedies.

Traditional international law is still important. It is no longer, unfortunately, quite sufficient.

We must explore new approaches, create and develop new tools.

May-be even new structures. Within the United Nations.

Let's seek out and punish the guilty!

During the conflicts, certainly after the conflicts, after the terror, after the intolerance.

Justice without grace cannot long endure. We must try to heal wounds left over by history.

<Truth and Reconciliation>

South Africa has given us an excellent example:

With the truth and reconciliation commission. Chaired by the Reverend Desmond Tutu, Nobel Laureate.

Let's hope this example will be followed elsewhere.

Well-being a priority

Human security requires also to fight against poverty and inequality. This is one of our priorities.

Globalization must benefit the whole of humankind.

Here the LINO must play its part, to reach this objective.

Only the UNO has a really global perspective of the problems of today:

- economic and social development,

- environment, health,

- access to new technologies,

- promotion of democracy

- of human rights.

I have been much impressed with what I have seen last June in Geneva, on the occasion of the Social Summit.

Switzerland wants to share the challenge with you.

In this spirit, we support the idea of a summit on the new information and communications technologies.

Breathing life into resolutions

Resolutions passed at such occasions are important.

Yet, it is necessary to breath life into these resolutions, to put them into practice. The history of the UN goes far to show this.

Should we also envisage new structures?

Which could take binding decisions. Which would see that these decisions would also be carried out.

I think of a structure akin to the UN Security Council. But for issues of civil society.

Seizing a chance

Without innovation it will be hard to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. We must act collectively.

Let's rise to the challenge, let's seize the chance!

It is in this spirit that Switzerland raises today its voice before this Assembly.

Switzerland, and Geneva, are ready to try and find solutions with your countries. With the United Nations.