Message from His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar on the occasion of the Fifty-eighth Anniversary of United Nations Day
(Yangon, 24 October 2003)

We are today celebrating the fifty-eighth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The International Organization was founded with the collective determination. It aims to eradicate the scourge of war, to strengthen peace in conformity with justice and international law and to respect the equal rights of nations large and small, among others. It also aims to use the United Nations as a centre for harmonizing the actions of Member States in the attainment of these common ends. Since its inception, the United Nations has exerted tireless efforts to achieve its goals for the benefit of humankind. Remarkable achievements have been attained in many areas, while success has proved to be elusive in others.

The leaders of the nations of the world greeted the arrival of the new millennium with the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. This important document embodies a large number of specific commitments aimed at improving the lot of humanity in the new century. Among the areas on which commitments have been made, peace and security are priorities. The turn of the millennium has brought new challenges in the field of peace and security. Strengthening respect for the rule of law in international as in national affairs, taking concerted action against international terrorism, redoubling efforts to counter the world drug problem, intensifying efforts to fight transnational crime, resolving armed conflicts, and disarmament matters are the goals set by the Millennium Declaration to be implemented by the States in this century. Other priority areas of commitment are development and poverty eradication. In order to significantly reduce poverty and promote development, it is essential to achieve sustained and broad-based economic growth. The millennium development goals highlight some of the priority areas that must be addressed to eliminate extreme poverty. These goals include commitments made by developed nations such as increased development assistance and improved market access for exports from developing countries.

This is the third year since the adoption of the Millennium Declaration. Some progress in a few areas have been made so far in achieving the objectives agreed upon. Member States need to continue to undertake appropriate measures towards their implementation.

Myanmar, as a member of the World Organization, believes that it is important to realize the commitments made in the Millennium Declaration in comprehensive, integrated, coordinated and balanced manner at the national, regional and international levels.

On the auspicious occasion of the fifty-eighth anniversary of the United Nations, we in Myanmar join with other Member States in reaffirming our commitment to purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and pledge our fullest support for and cooperation with the Organization in its efforts to create a world at peace and development.