U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
95/06/06 Commemoration of the UN's 50th Anniversary
Bureau of International Organization Affairs
 
 
 
 
           COMMEMORATION OF THE UN's FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY (UN50) 
 
 
The Clinton Administration's primary objectives for the commemoration of 
the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations are to: 
 
--  Remind Americans of the importance of international engagement and 
rekindle the spirit behind U.S. leadership in the creation of the UN; 
 
--  Reinforce public support for the United Nations and emphasize the 
benefits of the UN system; and 
 
--  Reestablish a bipartisan consensus on multilateral cooperation. 
 
The President will participate in two major events to commemorate the 
50th Anniversary of the United Nations. 
 
SAN FRANCISCO UN50 COMMEMORATION (June 24-26, 1995).  The UN Charter was 
signed in San Francisco on June 26, 1945.  Under the auspices of the San 
Francisco UN50 Committee (SF UN50), a non-profit community organization, 
commemoration activities began in late April.  SF UN50 has invited the 
UN Secretary General, all UN Permanent Representatives, and at least two 
Permanent Observers to San Francisco on June 24 for three days of 
scheduled events.  The program will consist of a UN Reform panel 
discussion with noted scholars at Herbst Theater, an Interfaith Service 
featuring Archbishop Tutu at Grace Cathedral, a Nobel Peace Prize Forum, 
and a concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Davies Symphony 
Hall.  The SF UN50 commemoration will be capped by a major address by 
President Clinton on June 26 at the historic War Memorial Building. 
 
UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUMMIT (New York, October 22-24, 1995).  The 
celebration of the UN's fiftieth anniversary will continue in New York 
at a special commemorative session of the UN General Assembly.  The 
President will be the first Head of State to address the UNGA Summit on 
October 22.  To date, 90 Heads of State have already committed to attend 
the special session. 
 
OTHER EVENTS.  The National Assembly on the United States and the United 
Nations will be convened in Washington D.C. August 31 - September 2 by 
the United Nations Association and 80 co-sponsoring organizations.  This 
conference will explore how the U.S. government and citizens can advance 
the national interest in building a more peaceful, democratic, and 
prosperous world through U.S. leadership toward an improved UN system.  
It will be among the largest of the dozens of conferences with a UN50 
theme sponsored by non-governmental groups around the country this 
summer and fall.  A wide range of commemorative events and conferences 
tied to UN50 will also be held in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.  A 
calendar of UN50 events worldwide is available from the United Nations 
Fiftieth Anniversary Secretariat in New York.