UN General Assembly
1999

This is the sixth time that I have had the honour to address the General Assembly, and it is a great pleasure for me to be back here in this body. I would, at the outset, like to congratulate Mr. Gurirab warmly on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session. Both Liechtenstein and Namibia figure among the younger Members of this Organization, since both our countries were admitted to the United Nations in 1990. The 32 President can count on Liechtenstein's support as he guides the Assembly to fruitful outcomes. I would also like to extend our warm welcome to the Kingdom of Tonga, the Republic of Kiribati and the Republic of Nauru. The general debate is an important opportunity for all of us to take stock, to comment on the state of the Organization, to voice our concerns and, if necessary, dissatisfaction and, most important, to offer constructive thoughts and ideas for the future. At the time when Liechtenstein became a Member of