GA/SM/357
26 July 2005
General Assembly President Salutes Federation of Former Civil Servants for Commitment, Advocacy in Support of UN, at New York Session
(Delayed for technical reasons.)
NEW YORK, 25 July (UN Headquarters) -- Following is the statement by General Assembly President Jean Ping (Gabon) during the thirty-fourth session of the Council of the Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) in New York, 1 July:
Dear Mr. President and colleagues representing FAFICS Associations,
It gives me great satisfaction to be with you at this moment, as you conclude your Council session marking the thirtieth anniversary of your Federation. It is fitting that your anniversary coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations in 1945.
I salute you as the representative voice of all United Nations system retirees in your indefatigable mission to protect the interests and rights of all former international civil servants and in your sustained commitment, advocacy and endeavours in support of the United Nations goals and programmes and the Secretariat, as one of its organs.
I share with you the belief that it is critical and vital for a strengthened and more effective United Nations system that we have a robust international civil service, guaranteed by the principles of integrity, independence and security, including security of employment in accordance with Articles 100 and 101 of the Charter.
I wish your Federation continued success.
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