Address by the
Right Honourable P.J. Patterson,
Prime Minister of Jamaica,
at the Luncheon hosted by
Her Excellency M. Patricia Durrant,
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Jamaica
to the United Nations,
New York Helmsley, 1997 September 25
Excellencies,
Distinguished Ambassadors,
Heads of United Nations Agencies,
Senior United Nations Officials,
My fellow Jamaicans and Caribbean Brothers and Sisters,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me warmly welcome you to this luncheon. Lam very pleased to .be
.a-ete to address-you a~~ roup wb-icif,' while varied in its representation,
is united by common thread of working for the improvement of the
world's people through the only universal forum we have, the United
Nations.
This fifty-second session of the General Assembly is an important one for
all of us. As we approach the new millenium, we are seeking to define
the role which the United Nations is expected to play. The new era
offers exciting responsibilities and at the same time poses formidable
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challenges. This will require that we fashion an Organization which
reflects the hopes and aspirations of all mankind for sustainable
development, for lasting security and enduring peace.
This year is also a significant one for Jamaica as it marks the thirty-fifth
year of our membership in the United Nations. Our country, as a small
developing Member State, is particularly proud of its contribution over
the years to this Organization in various areas. We are at the same time
appreciative of the benefits that have been derived at the country level
through our relationship with several UN funds and programmes.
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We in Jamaica have concerns and aspirations that are similar to those
shared by other countries in the Caribbean. A ~ .o;l:...+-;f~~m of
CARICOM, I ave those issues
as appropriate. At the
Summit of Heads of Government of the Caribbean held in Jamaica in July
this year, we were able to review action that had been taken to address
factors affecting the development of our region - its small, open
economies, the vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters, the
adverse effects of globalization, poverty, social dislocation and economic
deprivation and the threat of drugs and crime. It is recognized that there
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are steps that we as individual countries and as a region ca-n- take to
grapple with these intransigent problems. Indeed, r that our
most important investment is our people, we
to the implementation of specific meas
Development and Human Capital Fo mation. ·
ote Human Resource
However, our efforts require the tangible support of the international
community. As I indicated thi
lessons. The fir
Trade Orga ·
d costly
The second, is the threat to the very existence of the small island o
· h has been destroyed b
that the
internation community must resp a he plight of the region on both
accounts. Wsi~ ~ attach special importance to the proper
implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action which recognises
the peculiar circumstances and needs of small island developing
countries._/ we aJ.se-welcome the initial steps that have been taken to
this end with the first meeting between the United Nations and the
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Caribbean Community in May this year and the programme of work
developed as a resu It.
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our gathering here is indicative of the partnership by which we all should
continue to move forward, in the hopes of achieving our common goals.
It is in this vein that I wish to raise a toast to all of you and to wish you
successinyourendeavoura.
Thank you.
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