Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: 12 September 2001 – In the
aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist
attacks against the United States,
the United Nations General Assembly
today decided to postpone its
upcoming Special Session on
Children.
In the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attacks against the United
States, the United Nations General Assembly today decided to
postpone its upcoming special session on children.
In a unanimously adopted resolution on the matter, the Assembly
did not set a new date for the session, which was to have
convened from 19 to 21 September with the expected
participation of more than 70 heads of State or government.
Reacting to the decision, the Executive Director of the UN
Children's Fund (UNICEF), Carol Bellamy, issued a statement
pledging to help the world's neediest children "with deepened
resolve."
"We are all touched by the events that struck New York and the
US on Tuesday," she said. "The City of New York needs to focus
its energy on more urgent matters right now."
"We regret the awful circumstances that have caused this summit
to be postponed, but if this tragedy makes anything clear, it is
that creating and defending a world that is fit for children is hard,
hard work," she said, adding, "On days like today, it seems
harder."
Her call for re-dedicated efforts on behalf of children was echoed
by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who urged the Assembly to
keep young people's concerns high on its agenda. "The issue is
still very much with us," he said. "I think we should stay the
course and adopt a concrete agenda for action for this decade."