|
| |
Contact:
Rose Marie Harris
 |
|
President of the United Nations General
Assembly, Saint Lucia's Minister for External Affairs Sen. Hon. Julian Hunte |
Thursday, June 26, 2003 – Saint Lucia has been
catapulted on to the world stage at a critical time in international relations.
This was how newly elected President of the United Nations General Assembly
Saint Lucia’s External Affairs Minister Senator the Honourable Julian Hunte
described his election to the prestigious post.
Minister Hunte who met with the local media Thursday June 26, 2003, outlined the
many areas in which Saint Lucia stands to benefit. “The Saint Lucia Presidency
raises the profile of Saint Lucia within the United Nations system and in
international affairs generally. It will also raise the profile of the Caricom
region. Saint Lucia’s presidency confirms that, no matter what challenges the
United Nations face, for the most part it sticks to its principles of equality
of nations large and small – we are the smallest country to hold the
presidency.”
 According
to the new president, “my election as a representative of a small island
developing state should bring Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other
small states issues into clearer focus at the United Nations.”
Saint Lucia will also be at the centre of efforts to resolve many of the
challenging problems facing the United Nations, having full knowledge and
understanding of the United Nations system. Minister Hunte has pledged to work
towards bringing balance back to the Assembly’s agenda and to put development at
the centre, while keeping the necessary focus on matters of international peace
and security. Further interaction with member states of the United Nations will
enhance Saint Lucia’s knowledge of the foreign and other policies of those
states, which would assist with the management of the United Nations.
Finally, the presidency will give Saint Lucia the opportunity together with
Caricom to further an important model of cooperation among states in the
management of high level office in the United Nations and other international
organisations.
|
