UN General Assembly
1997

population and to guarantee sustainable growth in the medium and long term. We are aware of the need to promote a national commitment to democracy. To that end we have initiated an open, sincere national dialogue with different sectors of society, including the political parties, civil society and non-governmental organizations, so that together we can find the key elements for building a democratic political culture. My Government is pleased to support the hemisphere’s efforts, as coordinator of item 18 on the agenda of the Summit of the Americas, “Strengthening of the role of women in society”. The Summit meeting wished to emphasize that the exclusion of women from the tasks and benefits of development is a big obstacle to the attainment of growth and democracy. The entire world is in a process of change, and we believe that the United Nations system cannot remain on the sidelines. Nicaragua congratulates the Secretary- General on his dynamic vision, and we thank him for his report entitled “Renewing the United Nations: A Programme for Reform” (A/51/950). Nicaragua has benefited from many programmes of