Article from Local Government Chronicle 20th Oct 2005

From Local Government Chronicle 20 October 2005

COUNCIL'S 'BOLD NEW STATEMENT' IN CELEBRATING UNITED NATIONS DAY 20 October, 2005

The international community has met in Wolverhampton to celebrate the 60th birthday of the United Nations, which is...
The international community has met in Wolverhampton to celebrate the 60th birthday of the United Nations, which is officially scheduled for 24 October.

Wolverhampton mayor Phil Bateman said:


'We gather here to celebrate 60 years of the United Nations, one of the most important organisations in the world. It certainly gives me pleasure that we are recognising the achievements of that great organisation here in Wolverhampton.


'Whilst nations are members and contribute greatly to the international debates it is citizens in towns and cities that help create the conditions for national and international decisions.


'Here in Wolverhampton we have a thousand years of history, and tonight we are making history by first of all celebrating the United Nations huge milestone, and second we are celebrating the event in the company of local business leaders, local politicians and our own international community with guests from consuls and high commissions that are resident here in the West Midlands.


'It is a historic night for Wolverhampton and one that has firmly put Wolverhampton on the diplomatic map.'


John P Beevor, honorary consul for the Republic of Estonia, responded for the guests, and praised Wolverhampton's decision to honour the birthday of the United Nations.


Mr Bateman said:


'There was a real buzz last night and some of the largest companies in Wolverhampton were happily making contacts and doing business. This event I hope will continue annually and I hope it becomes a fixture for the future mayors of Wolverhampton. Last night we truly joined the big city league.'


'As we approach UN Day we celebrate the fact that we have a international organisation that has been one of the corner stones of World diplomacy. Everyone wants the UN to work, it is in all our interests for it to be continually developed.


'I am pleased that this City celebrateD the 60 year formation of the United Nations. I think Wolverhampton and its community is being futuristic in the way that we, amongst all the Cities in the UK are signalling our bold support.


'The world needs the United Nations today as it needed it after the second world war, we have to face up to the fact that there are real areas of turbulence in the Middle East and in Zimbabwe for instance. Our hopes for peace and stability in these areas will be strengthened if the UN is fit and functioning.


'Some may wonder why this city is making such an effort to involve itself in international politics?


'The answer is simple, this city is an international city, we have people living here from all over the world, happily and in peace. We want that city lifestyle to remain, and we here recognise the importance of having an organisation that has as one of its prime functions the role of international peace.


'I am proud that Wolverhampton is raising the consciousness of the Midlands by having an international consuls' dinner where we toasted the UN's achievements and activity in this troubled world, as it approaches its landmark birthday.


'We are one of the few cities in the UK to hold such a function. The response has been truly magnificent and the following countries have already indicated that they will be in attendance, with some others still to give an answer.'


'Wolverhampton as a city with a 1,000 years history is making a bold new statement by staging this activity.'


Countries which were due to attend last night's event:


Estonia, Austria, Bangladesh, Greece, Iceland, India, Italy, Belgium, Pakistan.