Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to remind parliamentarians that, today, Canadians are joining with the other members of the United Nations family, to celebrate United Nations Day, which marks the date the UN charter came into effect in 1945.
The credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations have been enhanced by the outstanding leadership of Secretary General Kofi Annan. His vision for a revitalized organization received a vote of confidence of the highest order when the Nobel committee decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize to him and to the United Nations.
It is clear that the terrorist threat can best be met through a co-ordinated multilateral response. However while the United Nations faces unprecedented challenges it is reassuring that the purposes and principles entrenched in its charter continue to provide inspiration for our multilateral efforts to meet these threats.
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many Canadians who serve throughout the United Nations system.