Distinguished Guests,

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our guests who have gathered here for the UN Ball 2002. The UNWA team has been waiting for tonight and is indeed very happy that so many of you could join us. The last couple of months have been a very busy time for all the members – finding their way in the busy streets of Dhaka, beating all the heat and humidity. But it is all worthwhile if tonight we can share few moments of enjoyment and take some good memories home.

This millennium has, to our surprise, brought about changes that we never imagined. The world seems to have gone forward and backward as we progressed in the cyber world with high tech advancements to the extent of having a human clone. Amidst these spectacular changes there came a rude reminder of the one of the basic attributes of human nature, or shall I dare say, animal nature: killing and aggression as a means to achieving ends is still a fundamental problem as it was at the birth of civilization.

More than ever before, we are in a make or break situation with the simple idea of living harmoniously in this world with its cultural and religious diversity. The poignant question is whether we can justify war or terrorism. Inevitably, the end result for both is the same - loss of life leading to hunger, poverty and isolation. Perhaps at this critical juncture, the role of the UN is even more significant. The world body is committed to forging partnerships among governments, civil society groups and private sector.

Secretary General Kofi Anan’s message on the UN Day rightly reminds the world: "And never has the human family needed the United Nations more than it does today. There are so few things today that any nation can control, relying purely on its own resources. And there are so many things that the world’s people can achieve, if we all work together."

Here in Bangladesh, we do see some genuine glimpses of people working together. UNWA’s experience during the year is a small testimony to what even small groups can do when they act in unison. UNWA, let me say, is blessed with diversity, wide experience, skills and a fine sense of commitment to the ideals of a better future for everyone. It is a mix of transient people who go places while serving a great humanitarian cause, transcend national boundaries and are inspiringly called "we the people of the world." Tonight, we have under this roof in a microcosm, the people who have amazing energy, enthusiasm and commitment.

We would like to thank the corporate sector and the eminent people who have generously contributed door prizes and raffle prizes. I would also thank the UNWA Executive Committee for its tireless efforts that made it possible for us to host tonight’s event. While everyone has contributed to this collective effort, I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention Hitomi, Elizabeth, Anowara, Minoli, Renu and Bintou for their leading roles in the work that has gone into holding the Ball.

UNWA is determined to play its part in creating situations and conditions that can have an impact on realizing the goals of the UN and making a difference in the lives of people. What we see today around us is the outcome of the profound changes in the world view, transactional relations, living conditions and relations between people. It demands participation of everyone, and not only of the groups that wield power in the political and economic field. It is this demand that represents the novelty of the kind of partnership that UNWA cherishes with civil society and trusts would be developed further in the course of time.

In conclusion, let me quote a small verse from the Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore:

"Oh God, I do not ask you to lessen my burden,

I pray to you to give me the courage to carry it."

Distinguished guests, I thank you most profoundly for helping us to hold the UN Ball 2002 in a befitting manner. Thank you.

Tazeen Rehman