Albania
H.E. Mr. Ilir Meta, Deputy Prime Minister And Minister For Foreign Affairs

Albania has highly praised and supported the activity of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan and currently is a participant with its troops there.

Argentina
H.E. Mr. Carlos Ruckauf, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship

The main concern in the United Nations for peacekeeping and to maintain international security has made significant progress, even though some situations of extreme severity and a high potential for conflict still exist and have not been solved.

… At this time I wish to ratify that, as a part of the vocation for peace of Argentina and of its desire to contribute to a solution to the serious existing conflicts, our country shall continue to provide armed forces and police personnel as well as civilians for the peacekeeping operations established by the United Nations' Security Council.

Australia
H.E. The Honourable Alexander Downer, MP Minister for Foreign Affairs

I congratulate the Secretary-General and Security Council for providing UNMISET with the necessary support, not just for peacekeeping and policing, but also for developing stable governance in East Timor.

Bangladesh
H.E. Mr. Morshed Khan, MP Minister for Foreign Affairs

We actively participate in peace-keeping operations, today being one of the UN's largest contributors of peace-keepers.

Belgique
S.E.M. Louis Michel, Vice Premier Ministre Et Ministre Des Affaires Etrangeres De La Belgique

Toutes ces questions sont au cœur de notre Organisation, sont au coeur de ses missions, sont au cœur de ses responsabilités politiques, individuelles et collectives. Je veux rappeler avec force que chacun d'entre nous, en signant la Charte des Nations Unies, y a solennellement souscrit et adhéré. C'est pourquoi, au nom de mon pays, je désire adresser un appel dépourvu d'ambiguité à l'Iraq. Je demande formellement et solennellement aux Autorités iraquiennes qu'elles exécutent, séance tenante et sans conditions, les résolutions des Nations Unies. Seule cette attitude de respect de notre Organisation, de ce que nous sommes collectivement, peut éviter le recours à la force. J'en appelle aux Autorités iraquiennes pour qu'elles saisissent cette ultime opportunité.

Burkina Faso
S.E.M Youssouf Ouedraogo, Ministre D'etat Des Affaires Etrangeres Et De La Cooperation Regionale

A cet égard, le Burkina Faso salue les initiatives fort louables des Nations Unies, pour ramener la paix dans de nombreuses régions du monde et particulièrement en Afrique où les interventions de l'ONU, conjuguées aux initiatives de l'ONA, devenue Union Africaine, et des Organisations sous-régionales africaines, ont permis d'apaiser plusieurs foyers de tension et de conflits qui ravageaient un peu partout notre continent.

Croatia
H.E. Mr. Tonino Picula, Minister for Foreign Affairs

We fully support the Secretary General in his efforts to move the United Nations from a culture of reaction to one of prevention. We consider that the timely dispatch of well structured peace-keeping operations, with a clear and effective mandate, can prevent the recurrence of conflicts and create a platform for re-building peace and shattered societies. It is exactly here that new tasks and challenges lie before contemporary peacekeeping operations, which we have witnessed born in East Timor and Kosovo. In this regard, we welcome the new approach of the Security Council in having regular meetings with. troop-contributing countries. As a contributor, with military observers in peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and recently in Kashmir, Croatia has found this exchange of information and experience most fruitful and useful for all.

Cyprus
H.E. Dr. Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister For Foreign Affairs

Cyprus attaches great importance to the role of the United Nations in the field of disarmament. It will therefore continue to support international action aimed at strengthening multilateral instruments on disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In this spirit, I wish to inform this august body that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus has recently proceeded, in cooperation with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, with the destruction of a significant number of weapons and has decided unilaterally for the demining of the buffer zone. Moreover, Cyprus is in the final stage of ratifying the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines.

Denmark on behalf of the European Union
H.E. Anders Fog Rasmussen , Prime Minister

We also strongly support the initiatives to strengthen the United Nations future peacekeeping capacity. We owe it to our armed forces to ensure an efficient and robust framework for future operations.

The Republic Of Fiji
H.E. The Honourable Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister

We congratulate the United Nations for the success of its various peacekeeping operations. Fiji's participation in UNIFIL, after more than 24 years, will conclude in December this year. It has been a great honor for us to serve the international cause of bringing peace and order to that part of the Middle East.

Fiji reaffirms its willingness to continue its participation in United Nations and international peacekeeping operations. All this has cost us dearly in lost lives but it is a price we are willing to pay for international peace and security.

Finland
H.E. Mr. Erkki Tuomioja, Minister for Foreign Affairs

An undeniable success story of the UN history is the organisation's peacekeeping activities. Countless lives have been saved by the UN peacekeeping operations. But we know, too, that possibly even more lives have been lost if and when the UN has not been able or allowed to operate. The reason for inoperability has been the lack of political will or prevalence of national interests in the Security Council. I would like to reiterate that the Security Council is mandated to act on behalf of all Member States.

The concept of peacekeeping has evolved considerably during the existence of the UN from purely military operations into versatile, complex and continuous efforts that extend in some cases to nation building. A growing element in them is civilian crisis management. This should be further strengthened. Crisis management in its whole continuum should also be based on broad cooperation and compatibility. Present complex crises are often too demanding for any one organisation to deal with. All regional organisations should work closely together and with the United Nations in trying to solve crises all over the world. The European Union is in close cooperation with the United Nations and other organisations sharing the burden of maintaining international peace and security.

The Gambia
H.E. Mr. Baboucarr-Blaise Ismaila Jagne, Secretary Of State For Foreign Affairs

The momentum generated in Johannesburg must not be allowed to wither away. It must be recognised, however, that there can be no meaningful development without peace and stability. This is why we attach great importance to the issue of peacekeeping.

Mr. President,

In the field of peacekeeping our Organization continues to score remarkable successes. We appreciate the efforts of the Security Council to put in place a rapid response mechanism through which a multi-national force could quickly be deployed to any part of the world. However there is need to ensure that adequate resources are made available so that no peacekeeping operation is disrupted on account of lack of funds, thereby plunging the countries concerned back Into a vortex of violence. Funding availability is also important to bridge the gap between peacekeeping and national reconstruction.

Georgia
H.E. Mr. Irakli Menagarishvili, Minister For Foreign Affairs

Secretary-General, in his statement at the Millennium Summit, strongly appealed for the transformation of the UN approaches to the peacekeeping operations. Recent UN led peacekeeping operations ongoing in different regions of the world, which we unequivocally advocate for, have proved to be quite successful, raising hopes that they would be extended to our conflict-torn region as well.

… In 1994 we made an unprecedented decision by asking the UN to permit commencement of a peacekeeping operation engaging the CIS "collective" peacekeeping forces composed of only the Russian military contingent. This was reasoned by complete absence of other alternatives at that time. Regrettably, 8 years of this operation have made clear that the Russian peacekeepers acting under the CIS aegis fail to ensure security so necessary for the return of IDPs and refugees to their homes in Abkhazia, Georgia. In fact the peacekeepers have established an artificial border between the territory controlled by the separatists and the rest of Georgia.

… We strongly believe that a more active involvement of the international community and primarily of the UN is indispensable. We understand that currently the UN is involved in several peacekeeping operations. Irrespective of this fact, we hope that some resources can be found to ensure more active engagement of the United Nations in the resolution of the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia. For the purpose of increasing effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping policy in our region we deem it reasonable to enhance cooperation with the OSCE and other regional actors including the CIS.

Ireland
H.E. Mr. Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs

…Effective conflict prevention is also about putting in place necessary structures. The Brahimi Report on UN Peace Operations acknowledged the pressing need to establish both long and short term conflict prevention strategies. I would like to reiterate Ireland's support for the Secretary-General's initiatives and for the role which UN Peacekeeping has to play in an integrated conflict prevention strategy.

Peacekeeping is at the heart of Ireland's contribution to the United Nations. We are immensely proud of the contribution which Irish personnel have made to UN peacekeeping. We reserve a special place in our hearts for those who have given their lives in the service of the United Nations. This was demonstrated once again in a moving ceremony which was held to mark the standing down of the Irish battalion from UNIFIL after 24 years of service.

As a member of the European Union, Ireland welcomes the deepening cooperation between the EU and the UN on conflict prevention and peacekeeping. This will be given further concrete expression when the EU takes over the UN police operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina next January.

Japan
H.E. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister

The second challenge is the consolidation of peace and nation-building. Japan attaches great importance to extending post-conflict assistance for the consolidation of peace and nation-building to prevent the recurrence of conflicts. Having developed a mechanism to enable it to cooperate effectively in broader areas, Japan has entered a new stage in its cooperation with peacekeeping operations. This positive posture is manifested in its deployment since February of six hundred and ninety

Kenya
H.E. The Honourable Major (Rtd) Marsden Madoka, M.P., Minister For Foreign Affairs

On issues of world security, Kenya has a long record of participation in Peace-keeping Operations. Today, she is the sixth largest troop contributor to United Nations Peace-keeping Operations, in different parts of the world. We are particularly happy to be associated with the success of the United Nations Peace-keeping Operations in East Timor, Sierra Leone, and on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Greater emphasis should be put on the deployment of adequate force levels to missions in Africa.

Republic of Korea
H.E. Mr. Choi Sung-Hong, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Since its inception, the United Nations has played key roles in securing peace and stability in the troubled corners of the world. Indeed, the UN's work in conflict prevention, Peace making, peace-keeping and peace-building has expanded in recent years.

East Timor is the latest success for which the United Nations deserves praise. As a member state committed to the coalition of the willing, the Republic of Korea has actively taken part in the UN's efforts in East Timor and other parts of the world. Moreover, our overall financial contribution to UN peace-keeping operations has grown approximately tenfold over the last three years. The Republic of Korea intends to strengthen its involvement in these crucial UN activities.

Latvia
Her Excellency Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President

The United Nations Organization itself will need to increase its administrative capacity if it is to effectively cooperate with its member states in realizing the goals of the Millennium Declarations. Thanks to the initiative of Secretary General Koffi Annan, several improvements can already be seen in the UN's work, particularly regarding the reform of peacekeeping operations and the level of collaboration among the UN's own institutions.

Liberia
H.E. Mr. Monie Captan, Minister For Foreign Affairs

Many African states, including Liberia, have provided peacekeepers for U.N. mandated peacekeeping missions around the world. Africa has come of age to contribute to international peace and security, not only because Africa has the capacity to do so, but also more importantly, Africa is a principal stakeholder in international peace and security. Liberia therefore calls for the permanent representation of Africa on the Security Council with the right of veto. This is the resolve of all Africans.

Liechtenstein
H.E. Mr. Ernst Walch, Minister For Foreign Affairs

In looking back, we realize today that our spirit of working together was short-lived and has not extended to all areas. After the terrorist attacks, there was a recognition that international terrorism can only be fought successfully if all States and nations work together. This raised hopes for an era of genuine multilateral ism. However, these hopes vanished quickly and were replaced by unilateralism and confrontation. One example of such confrontation were the debates on the International Criminal Court, which extended even to the Security Council of the United Nations. Holding these debates implied, ironically, that the International Criminal Court jeopardized peacekeeping operations of the United Nations. As a State Party to the Rome Statute, we have welcomed the entry into force of the Statute on 1 July as a true landmark in the history of international justice. We remain fully committed to preserving the integrity of the ICC Statute as adopted by the Diplomatic Conference in Rome and as ratified by 79 States. We found it therefore disquieting that the Council dealt with the International Criminal Court in a manner suggesting that the Court posed a threat to international peace and security.

The Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia
H.E. Mr. Slobodan Casule, Minister for Foreign Affairs

The strengthening of the role and relevance of our Organization should remain to be one of the topical issues on the United Nations agenda. Additional efforts should be made in particular to strengthen the United Nations preventive and peacekeeping capacities.

Malaysia
H.E. The Honourable Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister

19. The international community, including the United Nations, cannot afford to stand on the sidelines indefinitely. It is time for the Security Council to be more actively involved and to directly intervene in the situation, beginning with the dispatch of a United Nations or international peacekeeping force to the Occupied Territories. Failure to act will only perpetuate the violence and exacerbate the resentment felt by the Palestinians, as well as the Muslim world in general, towards those who are perceived to be responsible for refusing to address this issue in a fair and just manner.

Mauritius
H.E. The Right Honourable Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister

The African Union will be able to respond in a positive manner to the challenges confronting it as well as maximizing the opportunities for the improvement of the lives of peoples of the continent. In this context the decision of African countries to take responsibility for peacekeeping on the continent needs to be encouraged.  Since the burden of peacekeeping has to be equitably  shared, I am pleased to announce that Mauritius will contribute to the United Nations Civilian Police for post-conflict peacekeeping operations.

Mozambique
H.E. Dr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Minister For Foreign Affairs And Cooperation

Mozambicans are today enjoying the dividends of peace, which was achieved with the invaluable contribution of the United Nations in what became a success story of peacekeeping operations.

Nepal
H.E. The Honourable Arjon Jung Bahaur Singh, Minister Of State For Foreign Affairs

No durable peace will be possible without the prevention of conflicts and resolution of disputes through peaceful means. Peacekeeping, disarmament, and confidence building are the pillars of an edifice of culture of peace. Integral to lasting peace is the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and justice for all as well.

UN peacekeeping operations have proved very useful in helping to stabilise fragile situations during and after conflicts. Nepal is a major player in UN peacekeeping and has contributed over 40,000 military and police personnel so far. Our peacekeepers have served the United Nations with the outstanding competence and dedication, sustaining 42 casualties on the tour of duty.

Our commitment to UN peacekeeping operations remains robust. Supply of fully self-sustained troops is our goal, but that often becomes difficult for a poor country. Until we achieve our goal, the United Nations must continue to bridge the resource gaps through innovative means.

Netherlands
H.E. Mr. Jaap De Hoop Scheffer, Minister For Foreign Affairs

It is precisely through such an integrated approach that we can hope to achieve results. UNHCR's mix of policy areas obviously has to be complemented by that of security. That is one of the reasons why the Netherlands is involved in peacekeeping or similar operations in Bosnia, FYROM and Afghanistan. Security is a quintessential consideration for those who are to return to their homes. And without security, resettlement and recovery remain pious wishes. Money spent on security is money well spent.

New Zealand
H.E. The Honourable Phil Goff, Minister for Foreign Affairs And Trade

The United Nations has shown that collective action can save lives and help rebuild states.

As we welcome the world's newest nation, East Timor, into the United Nations, we should celebrate the success of the UN's peacekeeping mission and transitional administration in that country.

I congratulate Sergio de Mello, the Secretary-General's former special representative, for his role and those countries who contributed to giving hope and opportunity to the people of that small country.

New Zealand has had a battalion of peacekeepers deployed in East Timor since September 1999, and has peacekeepers also serving in 12 other countries.

We are proud that they have performed their role with professionalism and respect for the people in whose countries in which they operate.

Notwithstanding the small size of its population, New Zealand currently provides the 22nd largest contribution of UN peacekeeping personnel.

Nigeria
H.E. Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, President And Commander-In-Chief Of The Armed Forces

The United Nations peacekeeping role is an invaluable one in the global effort to help contain and resolve conflicts around the world. It deserves to be sustained and strengthened. Nigeria is proud to be an active participant in this peacekeeping and peacemaking effort. We remain committed to this responsibility in the conviction that we are our brother's keeper, and in the knowledge that there can be no development without peace and stability.

Philippines
H.E. Mr. Blas Ople, Secretary for Foreign Affairs

The proliferation of conventional and non-conventional weapons, including small arms, continues. Civil wars and inter-state conflicts remain major causes of instability and underdevelopment. Hence, the UN must continue its important peacekeeping and peacemaking roles.

Poland
H.E. Mr. Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Minister For Foreign Affairs

There is a widespread awareness of some provisions of the United Nations Charter actually becoming a dead letter. That applies to both their substance and the procedural solutions they offer. Some of the Charter's provisions and organs have completed the tasks assigned to them. The de-colonization process made the Trusteeship Council redundant. But the Organization does need new mechanisms to run peacekeeping operations. It is impossible to comprehend why we still keep in place the "clauses on enemy states" while the UN has no regulations to properly address the problems related to its humanitarian interventions. There is a general acceptance of the need for clear lines to be drawn to mark new areas of responsibility for a number of important UN organs.

Portugal
H.E. Mr. Antonio Martins Da Cruz, Minister For Foreign Affairs

The Danish Presidency has already addressed this Assembly on behalf of the fifteen members of the European Union. My country fully associates itself with this statement, namely on the role of the United Nations in the fight against terrorism, in peacekeeping, on the priority of respecting human rights and on concrete follow-up to the Millennium Declaration. I would, nevertheless, like to share with you some reflections on issues of particular importance to my country.

… During the nineties, the world experienced violent conflicts whose resolution was, and in some cases remains, a serious challenge for the international community.

In this context, we must stress the fundamental role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security, an undertaking for which all Member States have a duty to work together, seeking to resolve their differences in a peaceful manner.

Portugal actively participates in many United Nations operations: we rank 16th overall among troop contributors to UN peacekeeping operations and 1st among Member States of the European Union. We reaffirm here our willingness, and within the regional organizations of which we are a member, to work with the United Nations to strengthen its capacities for the prevention of conflict, in the search for peaceful solutions to existing conflicts and in assistance to the reconstruction of territories devastated by war.

Saint Lucia
H.E. The Honourable Julian Robert Hunte, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation

While development within the UN system is being undermined through the cutting and freezing of the UN regular and core budget, there have been substantial increases in the peacekeeping budget. Military spending keeps escalating, particularly that of developed countries. And the UN Development Programme and the Bretton Woods Institutions are being reoriented away from development. Development is in need of a global coalition without which we will pursue wars against terrorism in vain.

… St. Lucia condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations. For Small Island Developing States, however, security against terrorism and other threats, is not merely a matter of military spending, but is rather a multidimensional concern, encompassing matters such as drug trafficking and small arms, transnational crime, unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment. Therefore, whilst maintaining its peacekeeping mandate, the UN should not abandon the other mandates of its charter; economic and social development of all peoples, if it intends to remain relevant and credible. This institution needs to regain its balance and listen to the fainting voice of humanity in a universal chorus proclaiming global peace, justice, prosperity and equality for all.

Samoa
H.E. The Honourable Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Samoa is pleased to have been able to contribute to the United Nations peacekeeping effort in East Timor. And we plan to continue doing so.

Last month, we welcomed East Timor as an Observer to the Pacific Islands Forum. We look forward to her joining the United Nations soon.

San Marino
H.E. Mr. Augusto Casali, Minister For Foreign And Political Affairs

Also because of the role of guarantor recognized to this institution, the Republic of San Marino participated in the celebration of the 4th Anniversary of the Court on 17 July 2002 and was the first State in Europe to ratify its Statute. My Government believes that the International Criminal Court does not endanger, in any way, the international peace keeping forces, on the contrary, the Court further guarantees their protection through the articles of its Statute. For this reason, my Country hopes that the International Criminal Court will be joined and supported by as many Countries as possible, also in terms of practical solutions not altering the Statute of Rome and guaranteeing the continuity of peace operations.

Slovakia
H.E. Mr. Eduard Kukan, Minister For Foreign Affairs

Over the last decade we have witnessed an upsurge in ethnic, social and religious violence all over the world when simmering tensions and power struggles boiled over into open conflicts. The UN has been under increasing demand to intervene into these threats to international peace and security. As a result, peacekeeping has become more frequent and complex. The modern peacekeeping operations are multidimensional with tasks ranging from traditional deployment of military personnel, demining and medical support to verification, disarmament, rebuilding of infrastructure and facilitation of institution-building, democratization and election. The peacekeeping operations have changed also in terms of financial resources they require.

My Government has always been fully committed to the maintenance of international peace and security. Peacekeeping has always been an important aspect of our involvement in the United Nations activities. Slovakia currently provides military personnel and observers for seven UN peacekeeping missions, in Ethiopia and Eritrea, in Cyprus, in Iraq, in Jerusalem, on the Golan Heights, in Sierra Leone and in East Timor. The number of Slovak military personnel serving under the United Nations flag has steadily increased since the mid-1990s and currently it counts more than 600 troops apart from the number of the Slovak soldiers participating in missions in the Balkans under the NATO leadership. Slovakia will remain actively engaged in this crucial area of the UN responsibilities in the future.

Somalia
H.E. Mr. Yusuf Hassan Ibrahim, Minister For Foreign Affairs

When the Somali parties agree on a peace framework during the October conference in Kenya, there will be an urgent need for international peacekeepers. There will also be an urgent need for disarmament and the rebuilding of national institutions in Somalia.

Tajikistan
H.E. Mr. Talbak Nazarov , Minister for Foreign Affairs

The UN member states should assist the Secretary-General in his efforts to expand the capacity of the Secretariat in performing peace-keeping operations, preventing and resolving conflicts and contributing to post-conflict peace building. The reform also implies further efforts toward democratization of the UN system as a whole, so that the capacity and support of small countries, no matter how numerous their problems are, can be united with those of large states.

Thailand
H.E. Mr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister for Foreign Affairs

We are pleased to welcome the Democratic Republic of East Timor to the United Nations. Thailand is honoured to have actively participated under the UN operations in East Timor from the very beginning. Thailand's role in East Timor was unique in linking the peacekeeping mission to development and poverty eradication.

Turkey
H.E. Mr. Sükrü Sina Gürel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Preventive diplomacy and peacekeeping have gained even more priority in this era of new conflicts. Turkey has been actively participating in the efforts of the U.N. on conflict prevention and plays a significant role in U.N. as well as NATO and OSCE mandated peace missions.

Hence, we commend the efforts of the Secretary-General in ensuring prompt reaction to emerging crises and welcome the manifold considerations contained in his report on the prevention of armed conflicts.

Ukraine
H.E. Mr. Anatoliy Zlenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Making significant contribution to the peacekeeping activities of the Organization will continue to be an important element for Ukraine's participation in the United Nations efforts in the sphere of peace and security.

We believe that the key role, which is played by the United Nations peacekeeping operations in the world, and personal contribution of each peacekeeper deserve adequate recognition by the international community.

I am confident that everybody present in this hall will share this view.

At the current session of the General Assembly Ukraine will present a draft resolution proposing annual observance of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers as a way to pay tribute to the memory of fallen peacekeepers and to honour the participants of ongoing and past missions. We hope that it will be unanimously supported.

Thus, the first celebration of the Day of Peacekeepers will take place next year, which will mark the 55th anniversary of the deployment of the first United Nations peacekeeping operation.

Uruguay
H.E. Dr. Didier Opertti, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Uruguay has confidence in multilateral mechanisms for preserving and building international peace and security. It is a signatory to the Charter of San Francisco and has contributed troops to 13 United Nations peacekeeping missions since 1952. We take pride that the more than 1500 serving members of our military and police forces that participate nowadays in peacekeeping operations represent this firm commitment and our belief in this Organization.

*This compilation does not include statements delivered in Arabic or Spanish. Please check back for updates.