Forty-ninth session
Agenda item 44
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly,
Cognizant of the fact that the promotion of peace and the
prevention of war are among the primary goals of the United Nations,
Recognizing that the Preamble to the Charter of the United
Nations states that the peoples of the United Nations are determined
to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which
twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind,
Recalling that the United Nations was established to prevent
war and seek peace through peaceful means and through negotiation,
as well as to promote international cooperation,
Recalling also its resolution 47/120 A of 18 December 1992,
in which it welcomed the report of the Secretary-General entitled
"An Agenda for Peace", A/47/277-S/24111. stressing the
importance of preventive diplomacy and peacekeeping operations,
Recalling that 1995 has been proclaimed the United Nations
Year for Tolerance, See resolution 48/126.
Recognizing the important role that Disarmament Week, which
will be observed concurrently with the World Week of Peace, is
playing in promoting international peace and security,
Recognizing also that the United Nations is universal in
nature and is the only instrument for global interdependence and
cooperation that has the moral authority and the influence to
promote and maintain world peace,
Recognizing further the importance of promoting the culture
of peace,
Concerned that recent conflicts between States have brought
with them deplorable ethnic strife, destruction and displacement
of individuals and communities,
Deeply concerned at the large proportion of civilians,
especially women and children, who have been injured or killed
during the armed conflicts that have increased in recent years,
Recognizing that civil society organizations are now playing
a more important role in promoting tolerance and understanding,
Convinced that a short period of peace resulting from a
cease-fire or a truce can offer opportunities for building a just
and lasting peace,
Noting with satisfaction the valuable initiative taken
by the United Nations Children's Fund to facilitate "days
of tranquillity" and "corridors of peace", which
have been used to provide humanitarian relief, such as immunization,
health care, food and clothing, to children trapped by armed conflicts,
1. Decides to proclaim the World Week of Peace, beginning
on 24 October 1995, in solemn commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary
of the United Nations;
2. Approves the Proclamation of the World Week of Peace,
the text of which is annexed to the present resolution;
3. Invites all Member States to begin this task of cooperation
with their own citizens and with civil society organizations,
so as to give maximum publicity and assistance to the launching
of the proclamation of a universal week of truce or cease-fire
during the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United
Nations;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure the broadest
possible dissemination of this resolution through the Department
of Public Information of the Secretariat;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation
of the present resolution to the General Assembly at its fiftieth
session.
105th plenary meeting
12 July 1995
Whereas the General Assembly has decided unanimously
to proclaim the World Week of Peace in commemoration of the fiftieth
anniversary of the United Nations,
Whereas the promotion of peace and the prevention of war
are among the primary goals of the United Nations,
Whereas, in welcoming "An Agenda for Peace",
the United Nations has rededicated itself to the effort to establish
a universal peace according to the purposes and principles of
the Charter of the United Nations, signed at San Francisco,
Whereas, in increasing the size and scope of its peace-keeping
operations, the United Nations has demonstrated its commitment
to the task of peace-keeping and peacemaking,
Whereas the World Week of Peace offers a special opportunity
for Governments, civilian organizations, local communities and
individuals to take part in new initiatives for the commendable
goal of conflict resolution, cease-fires and truces, and for a
period of universal peace that could be used for the humanitarian
relief that has become so critically necessary,
Accordingly,
The General Assembly
Solemnly proclaims the World Week of Peace, beginning on
24 October 1995, to coincide with the commemoration of the fiftieth
anniversary of the United Nations.