The outcomes of the 38th Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of United Nations Associations
6 - 10 November 2006, Buenos Aires, Argentina

READ THE BUENOS AIRES DECLARATION AND THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE 38TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY

"At a time when, more than ever before, human beings throughout the world form a single society, we cannot afford divisions that threaten the very notion of an international community. That is why associations such as yours are more important than ever." UNSG Kofi Annan's message to the 38th Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of United Nations Associations.

Kofi Annan's message resonated with UNA delegations from 59 countries. They stated in "The Buenos Aires Declaration - We the Peoples supporting the United Nations for a Fair and Peaceful World" that they had decided 'not to pursue conflictual paths in considering issues of acute contemporary conflict'. Through dialogue, they affirmed the value of the World Federation as a forum for cooperation and creative problem solving. Separate resolutions were adopted, all by consensus, on the Middle East, establishing a Weapons of Mass Destruction free zone in the Middle East, Iraq, an Arms Trade Treaty, lifting of the US embargo on Cuba, an end to the building of the wall between Mexico and the US, support for the Alliance of Civilizations, and a call for setting up a UN Parliamentary Assembly.

The week-long Plenary Assembly opened on 6 November 2006 in the Palace of the Congress of Argentina, with a showing of the first video on the World Federation. The International Symposium on the UN Millennium Development Goals followed. Speakers included representatives of the United Nations, political leaders, notably The Hon Daniel Scoli, President of the Senate, The Hon Daniel Filmus, Minister of Education of Argentina, and Mr Jose Gregori, President of the Human Rights Commission of Sao Paulo, Brazil and NGO activists, notably Mrs Estela Carlotto, Grandmother of the Plaza de Mayo.

A highlight was the presentation by Dr. Hans Blix, Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, of a certificate to the winner of the Global Essay Competition on Peace and Disarmament, Ms. Immaculate Motsi from Zimbabwe. Dr. Blix, who was himself a world essay competition winner in 1950, was later unanimously elected to be the 22nd President of the World Federation. Representatives of UNAs of Germany, Nepal and South Africa were elected to be Vice- Presidents.

The message of the President of the General Assembly, Her Excellency Al Khalifa, advising of her intention to hold a series of thematic debates on the topics of development, gender and dialogue among civilizations, was much appreciated by delegates. They affirmed that UNAs would build partnerships in support of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, declared their support for human rights education and decided to convene, in 2007, an Expert Panel on the implementation of international human rights treaties. In support of dialogue among civilizations, the UNA-Spain offered to host a meeting of UNAs from the Middle East to discuss and agree on areas of practical cooperation that could serve to contribute to a cessation of violence, greater understanding and a lasting and durable peace.

In the course of their commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the World Federation, delegates recalled the early leadership role of Eleanor Roosevelt and the continuing commitment of UNAs to human rights education, their role in the struggle against apartheid and in setting up the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Newly established UNAs of Albania, Armenia, Bolivia, Burundi, Comores, Haiti, Macedonia, Mozambique and Syria were welcomed as full members of the World Federation. Increased through annual regional Model UN Conferences in Africa, Asia and Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Looking to the future, the World Federation's Constitution was amended to integrate a new youth movement into the organization's structure. A new program to facilitate international networking among young professionals was launched. The young participants at the Plenary ran their own parallel conference, actively debating issues, drawing up a list of projects and electing a coordinating committee of nine members from Australia, Germany, Guatemala, India, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, USA and Venezuela.

Other elections resulted in Mr Pang Sen of UNA-China becoming the Chairman of the Executive Committee, to which UNA delegates from Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russia, UK, USA, and Venezuela were elected to join the 8 existing members. Ms Pera Wells from Australia was elected as Secretary-General until the next Plenary Assembly, which will be hosted by the UNA-Republic of Korea in Seoul in 2009.