Madam Acting President, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Western European and Other Group, for which the Netherlands currently serves as Vice-President of the UNICEF Executive Board.

UNICEF, let’s realize, was founded to address the needs of the children affected by the devastation of the Second World War. European children faced famine and disease. It was calculated that in Europe in 1947 the number of needy children amounted to twenty million. UNICEF hastened to help by providing food, clothing and health care. An international relief campaign for children of this magnitude was never seen before. Maurice Pate, UNICEF’s first executive director, made it a condition of his service that UNICEF supports equally those in vanquished as well as victorious countries.

Sixty years have passed since then. In that time the work of UNICEF has become indispensable for the world’s children. In the same room that brings us together today the Declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted in 1959. In 1965 UNICEF received the Nobel Peace Prize. On accepting the prize, Henry Labouisse, then Executive Director of UNICEF, asked the following:

‘Is our society doing, or failing to do, all that is possible to equip our children with the weapons for peace? When our children grow up, will they have trained and informed minds, liberated from the old prejudices and hatreds? Will they trust their own civilization? Will they be prepared to trust and understand others?’

It is by answering these questions 40 years later, that UNICEF continues to draw attention to those least able to defend themselves. And not only by providing aid but also by giving them a voice. In 2002 in this General Assembly Hall children of all Member States addressed the challenges and problems they face, during the Special Session on Children. UNICEF’s achievements in the past sixty years stand out for their universality and focus on the neediest and most neglected children.

We are especially glad to commemorate UNICEF, since its history is so closely linked to our prosperity. It is the best example that children have the future. Sixty years ago the European children needed UNICEF. With the help of many Member States, UNICEF came to their rescue. Both in kind contributions, such as a large shipment of cod liver oil (the taste of which – by the way- brings back some bad childhood memories) from the government of Norway, and funds were provided by many Western nations. The war affected children of Europe have now grown up to assist UNICEF in giving aid to millions of others. The people and governments of the European and other members of our group still provide the bulk of UNICEF’s funding. We are committed to continue this support.

While commemorating the past and the successes achieved, we should also look ahead. UNICEF’s work is of relevance to practically all of the Millennium Development Goals. In putting the MDG’s at the centre of its work, UNICEF can be a key factor in achieving them. Through its largely field based operations, UNICEF has a unique and global presence. UNICEF’s field staff are its principal ambassadors and they deserve a special mentioning today. Looking ahead means learning from the past. We encourage initiatives that are being taken to make the UN more coherent and efficient in order to reach the MDG’s. UNICEF’s success in the field is closely linked to partnerships with governments, civil society and other UN entities. We know that UNICEF will continue its vital work through these partnerships, for the benefit of all the children of the world. Let me end by warmly congratulating on behalf of our group Executive Director Ann Veneman and her predecessors and all of UNICEF on its enormous achievements and wish UNICEF success in the future and especially in helping to achieve the MDG’s.

Thank you.