Notes of Address by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to the Special Commemorative Meeting of the General Assembly United Nations 50th Anniversary

For fifty years, the United Nations has symbolized Canada's highest hopes for a world at peace.

I believe there is a simple reason for this attachment. The United Nations stands for the rule of law, for social and political justice and for the peaceful resolution of disputes.

These are important principles for Canadians. They speak directly to the heart of our identity. For, although Canadians sometimes forget it, the highest hope of the global community is to achieve what we in Canada have achieved for ourselves. A means of living together in peace and understanding. Not an answer to every problem, but a means to pursue those answers together - with respect, tolerance, accommodation and compromise.

Through fifty years, the United Nations has struggled against racism and colonialism, against disease and illiteracy. It has stood up for those who have no voice. The oppressed. And millions of women and children around the world.

It has contained many conflicts, and brought relief to their victims.

But the work is far from finished.

Peace remains elusive for millions around the world.

The rights of nations and the rights of individuals under international law must still be defended.

The gap between rich countries and poor is far too wide.

The right balance between economic development and a healthy environment must be established.

We have so much to do. But now the United Nations itself is under attack.

We see it in the financial crisis. Too many states do not pay their dues on time and in full.

But finances are only a symptom of a deeper crisis... a growing belief that nations cannot work together effectively on issues of common concern.

Some argue that global approaches are too complex.

Others say that the UN is too expensive -- and not worth the cost.

These arguments betray a lack of confidence in the future. And Canada will have none of it.

Today, even more than 50 years ago, it is truly one world.

More than ever, we need the United Nations.

We need it to maintain international stability and order. We need it to tackle problems that do not respect borders aids, drugs, terrorism.

We can make the UN better.

Countries can pay their dues -- and should. Now.

We can reform the scale of assessments to reflect current economic realities -- and should. Without delay.

The Security Council can be more representative, can improve its transparency. Its consultations, and its mandates for peacekeeping. Improvements are under way. Let's finish the work.

We can react more quickly to crises. Canada has tabled a study on ways to improve the rapid deployment of military and civilian UN personnel. We are encouraged that the UN is considering these proposals seriously.

We can review the mandates of specialized agencies, and make sure they are dealing with the right issues -- in the right way.

The Secretary General is working to cut waste and find efficiencies throughout the UN.

We are each doing this in our own countries. We should do no less for the United Nations.

Fifty years ago, in the ashes of a global war, in the shadow of 50 million dead, our predecessors found the strength to believe in a better future. And the courage and determination to build one. The result was the United Nations.

Surely, we, the leaders of 1995, should do no less.

I pledge to you that Canada is committed to that task. Canadians believe in the future. Without that deep, unyielding belief, we would not have built the country that the United Nations has named the best country in the world in which to live.

That unshakable belief is what we brought to the first fifty years of the United Nations. It is what we commit to the next fifty years.