Press Release No. G/24/99
9 September 1999
Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- The presence and influence of the Asia Pacific in the United Nations does not necessarily match the economic and political weight this region enjoys in the world, said Nobutaka Machimura, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Japan, today in a keynote speech at the regional hearing (9-10 September) on he United Nations in the Twenty-first Century: Issues, Challenges and Responses.
Machimura said, his is seen in the fact that in the Security Council only two non-permanent seats are allotted to the Asia Group consisting of 49 countries.
Mr. Machimura also underlined the importance of civil society in shaping a new and vibrant UN in the millennium. This was why, he said, the hearing was of reat interest for the Government of Japan and the region, and very important for strengthening the UN.
The hearing is being organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) at the United Nations University in Tokyo. Mr. Adrianus Mooy, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, emphasized that the United Nations for the twenty-first century must eflect the common aspiration of promoting development and peace.
The impact of globalization has accentuated the differences which had earlier existed in the levels of prosperity between countries and peoples focussing attention anew on such concerns such as peace and security, human rights and development, Mr. Mooy explained.
The Tokyo hearing, which is hosted and sponsored by the Government of Japan, is being attended by distinguished representatives of civil society and representatives of member States of the ESCAP region.
These meetings have been organized at the initiative of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and in full cooperation with the Executive Secretaries of the Regional Commissions. he Secretary-General will draw upon the outcome of the hearings in the preparation of his report on the Assembly, to be issued by March 2000 and discussed at the 55th General Assembly Session and Summit, explained, Mr. Miles Stoby, the Coordinator of Preparations for the Millennium Summit. This is the fifth regional hearing to be held so far, following others in Western Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. A sixth will take place this fall for North America region.
The first session discussed he United Nations role in peace and security in the coming century The elimination of nuclear weapons, disarmament, veto rights on the Security Council and transnational criminal activities ranging from terrorism to drug trafficking were some of the areas needing scrutiny at the Millennium Summit. The key issue, panelists agreed, was how the UN was going to set about reforming itself by incorporating new ideas and initiatives.
The United Nations should introduce international public order in much broader areas, in which national interest must yield to international public interest said one panelist.
Another way that the UN could be strengthened was by allowing the General Assembly to play the important role it was meant to be as a representative of all people.