Speech by H.E. Mr Martti Ahtisaari, President of the Republic of Finland at the Kasetsart University in Bangkok on January 23, 1995

Distinguished Dr. Sanga Sabhasri

Distinguished Dr. Kamphol Adulavidhaya

Excellencies,

Students,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me a great pleasure to be here with you today. I am honoured to receive this high distinction from the Kasetsart University, the university that is wellknown by its achievements, especially in the field of agriculture and forestry, the subjects that are the nucleus in the development of any country.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The United Nations celebrates later this year its Fiftieth Anniversary. It has matured with the years and also grown in size. Membership has increased from the original 51 states to the present 185. Dramatic changes in the world and the acute problems facing us call for new thinking and new concepts. For viewing the future we have to glance back. We must build on the past achievements and lessons learned. We are now at crossroads. Global confrontation is behind us. We are hoping to enter an era of new opportunities, partnership and cooperation.

The United Nations was established to address international problems, to save future generations from the scourge of war, to engage all nations in work for peace and development, and to reaffirm the rights of all human beings. Governments created the United Nations 50 years ago to serve the people - each and every individual. The UN Charter and its principles remain as valid today as they have ever been.

No one denies the necessity of the existence of the United Nations. As stated many times before, if it was not there it would have to be created. But how successful has it been in its mission? One can cite many successes. Yet it is also fair to say that in many respects the UN has not fulfilled the expectations placed on it. The man in the street could often ask: what good has it done to me, and to the people around the globe. Have the expectations been too high - especially during the past few years?

What went wrong if such questions are posed or found justified? Over the years the UN Charter has proven to be a solid basis and flexible enough to face the new challenges of a changing world. Is it, then, the linkbetween the UN and the governments, on the one hand, and the people, on the other hand, that has not worked properly?

The UN is often viewed by governments as the international forum where they can portray their political profile, as well as underline the importance of their own nation State. This has from time to time been the case with my own country, too. The danger is that a mere profilation easily becomes more important than the issue at hand. Is it here that the cause of the people is in danger to be forgotten?

The Rio Conference on Environment and Development opened the door for a new and stronger participation at the UN for non-governmental and other groups, representing the civil societies with different backgrounds. The trend has continued in other successive conferences. The voice of such groups are now better heard and listened to.

The first and foremost purpose of the UN is, however, to maintain international peace and security. The Secretary General's Agenda for Peace opened new avenues and provided a more comprehensive framework for the search for peace. The substantial increase in the number of peace-keeping operations has also focused attention to the limits to which the UN can stretch its role. The political conditions under which crisismanagement and peace-keeping operations are mounted have been changing.

It has become obvious, that preventive action - however difficult its implementation may be - is an area that cannot be overemphasized. The UN needs capacity to conduct preventive diplomacy and promote confidence-building. Here we need the cooperation between the United Nations and the regional organizations.

The challenges in the field of security are ever-increasing. Recent conflicts have frequently erupted within States rather than between States. We should continue to stress that the internal situation of a State lies primarily in the responsibility of its own government. However, if and when internal strife threatens international peace and security the UN must have the possibility to act, particularly as situations often call also for humanitarian action when people become innocent victims of conflicts.

Underdevelopment, poverty and injustice are part and parcel of a global agenda, just as well as international peace and security or the growing concern for the environment. That is why development issues should feature prominently as cross-sectoral items on the agenda of the UN. Development is for people, as is peace and security. We need an integrated approach.

We need an understanding that a basis for peace is created through economic and social development, respect for human rights, and by strenghtening democracy and good governance.

The Agenda for Peace has also paved the way for an Agenda for Development, which much hope and expectations have been vested in. It should become an instrument for outlining the UN's role in development, including social development.

How can the credibility of the UN in this field be enhanced in a concrete way? In March the leaders of the Member States will be meeting in Copenhagen at the UN's World Summit on Social Development. This will be an occasion to amplify the emerging concept of human-centered and socially-oriented development. That could become the beacon in the field of development for the UN. Taking concrete action is now needed.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have had the privilege to look at international relations - so to say from inside - almost all of my professional life. I dare to say that the core of my life is dedicated in building bridges over the boundaries and cultures in order to create understanding and appreciation among different people and nations. We all know that no country can live alone without any contacts to neighbouring or even to distant countries.

This is also my personal link to the Kasetsart University, to my presence here today.

Finland and Thailand stand as good examples of fruitful cooperation. I am proud that during the time when I was involved with the Finnish development cooperation activities, an exchange of forestry students was started between the Kasetsart University and the University of Helsinki.

During the years, we have had the privilege to receive about twenty students from Thailand to Finland to study forestry and other related subjects. I have noted that quite many of those who were studying in Finland were able to reach the highest academic level, the doctorate. It shows that Thais are hardworking and that they live up to their plans - this characterizes also the Finns.

We both are close to the nature, to the origins of our nations, we both respect our cultures. We both have experienced a rapid change from an agrarian to an industrial country, only the pace of change has been faster here.

Dr. Sanga Sabhasri

Dr. Kamphol Adulavidhaya

Dear representatives of the Kasetsart University,

Students,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I feel greatly honoured having received this high honorary distinction of the Doctor of Arts in Political Sciences.

I wish all the best to the Kasetsart University and the people of Thailand.

I thank you.