UN General Assembly
2006

I bring warm greetings from the Government and the people of Solomon Islands. Allow me to begin by conveying my most heartfelt and sincere congratulations to you, Madam, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-first session. Solomon Islands is confident that, as a result of your leadership, guidance and service to the world, our work to achieve global peace, progress and prosperity will bear fruit. My delegation assures you of our cooperation and support during your term in office. Solomon Islands would also like to take this opportunity to applaud and pay tribute to your predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, Foreign Minister of Sweden, who, with truly admirable skill, led us in achieving many reform initiatives following last year's World Summit, in particular the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council, the launch of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the adoption of the development resolution, management reform, Secretariat mandate review and the Declaration on HIV/AIDS. It would be remiss of me not to thank our Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan, for