'Reformation to make UN more vibrant'

Pakistan on Wednesday said that reformation of United Nations was necessary to make it more vibrant. "We want UN role more lively and active, said Makhdoom Khusroo Bakhtiar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while speaking at the UN Commemorative-Book launching ceremony held to celebrate completion of its 60-year, here at the United Nations Information Center (UNIC).
He said Pakistan stood among the countries that had adopted UN reformation agenda. "Though, the UN has played a very critical and effective role in peacekeeping in the last 60 years, yet the need was being felt to make it more vibrant and effective." Khusroo Bakhtiar said, Pakistan, being a largest contributor in the UN peacekeeping forces, wanted the body to play a much broader role for which it would continue to strive.
"We will remain active participant of the UN charter and would continue to play our role for achieving world peace," he added.
The UN Resident Co-ordinator, Jan Vandemoortele, said that the body must be revitalised. Serious discussions were being held in New York for its reformation and budget, he added.
He said, "here in Pakistan, all the UN agencies have gathered, which never happened before, for the relief activities after the devastating earthquake. We will remain focussing on relief operation in weeks ahead due to worsening winter," he added.
He eulogised Pakistan for its contributions to the United Nations in peacekeeping and fighting off poverty saying it (Pakistan) tops the countries at UN in its support for peacekeeping. He also presented a copy of the book to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
This book contains messages of the President of Pakistan, UN Secretary General, Foreign Minister, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations and UN goodwill ambassadors from Pakistan.
There are also articles by former Pakistani peacekeepers and the history of activities and achievements of UN agencies since their arrivals in Pakistan.
The launching of this book was initially planned for United Nations Day, October 24, but was delayed due to the earthquake disaster.
The launching ceremony was followed by the presentation of UN Recognition Awards 2005 to two NGOs.
Maimoona Noor, Chief Executive and founder of All Women Advancement and Resource Development (AWARD), and Syeda Najma Shakur, founder of Women Welfare Organisation Poonch (WWOP) were given the awards.