UN SPEECHES
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UN Leader

U Thant

UN Secretary-General 1961-1971

1909 – 1974

609
Total Mentions
2
Direct Quotes
1962
First Mention
2015
Latest Mention

Most Frequent Citing Countries

(16)Haiti(14)India(13)Nepal(12)Mali(12)Japan(12)Cambodia(11)Mexico(10)

Direct Quotations (2)

"Much of the usefulness of the United Nations is unknown and indeed intangible. But, however faulty, it represents an aspiration and a method of trying to realize a great ideal"

1971Turkey
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"Members of the United Nations have perhaps ten years left in which to subordinate their ancient quarrels and launch a global partnership to curb the arms race, to improve the human environment, to defuse the population explosion, and to supply the required momentum to world development efforts"

1969Nepal
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All Mentions (98)

2015·Myanmar
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and social development in poor countries. The United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme were also initiated. U Thant believed that the United Nations needed to meet the needs and hopes of people everywhere. That vision is more relevant than ever to the work of the O
1978·Singapore
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n increased by 8,000 to a total of 14,000 war-heads. Governed by these facts and figures, one is driven to the inescapable conclusion that, to borrow U Thant's words, the "mad momentum of the arms race" continues unabated. 13.
1967·Mexico
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nce of the Treaty — a truly Latin-American contribution to disarmament and peace. In his message to the Preparatory Commission that same 12 February, U Thant stated emphatically: "The signature of this Treaty on the 14th of this month will be an event of historical significance in the world-wide effort to
2012·Myanmar
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his reappointment as General-Secretary and on his achievements thus far. Before I conclude, allow me to brief ly mention an important figure, namely, U Thant, a brilliant son of Myanmar who served as the third Secretary- General. Even in those days, U Thant had a vision of one world. He envisioned a global
1995·Oman
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in 1961. We should also remember those who were at the helm of the Secretariat beside Mr. Hammarskjöld — Mr. Trygve Lie, the first Secretary-General, U Thant, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, Mr. Jávier Perez de Cuéllar and the current Secretary- General, Mr. Boutros Boutros- Ghali — who have all played a significant ro
1994·Andorra
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n and universally recognized artist Paul "Pablo" Casals boldly affirmed, here at the General Assembly of the United Nations, before Secretary-General U Thant: "I am Catalan". Everyone understood immediately that, with these words, he was beginning a song of liberty and declaring himself to be the son of a
1988·Saint Lucia
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countries in particular and effective ways. We now have, so to speak, a second chance to make this Organization what it was supposed to be, In 1969, U Thant, then Secretary-General, warned us that we had little time left in which to subordinate our ancient quarrels and launch a global partnership to curb
1985·Venezuela
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e devoted an important part of their lives - and have even given up their lives - in the service of the United Nations: Trygve Lie, Dag Hammarskjold, U Thant, Kurt Waldheim and Javier Perez de Cuellar, who, in the post of Secretary-General, have helped to establish the role of the Organization as an essent
1982·Bostwana
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his position of Secretary-General as providing him with a mandate for seeking and restoring peace and who lived and died in that cause. The third was U Thant, a blunt, straightforward and outspoken individual, .a man of proven negotiating ability; the fourth was Kurt Waldheim, a professional and careful di
1980·Zaire
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by their obligations concerning disarmament. One may thus wonder whether they have truly decided to heed the appeal of the former Secretary General, U Thant, who declared in 1970 that any comprehensive disarmament programme must begin with a halt, immobilization or restriction of the nuclear arms race, fo
1979·Congo
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sort of challenge; in fact no day goes by without us seeing them violated, here and there, or emptied of their content through prejudice and hatred. U Thant was right, 12 years ago when he said: "When prejudice and hatred dominate the relations of nations or groups of nations, the whole world takes a step
1975·Upper Volta
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d that we have now made a start towards better co-operation among nations. Perhaps it would not be superfluous to meditate upon the words of the late U Thant, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, who said: "Are we much longer to allow blind economic forces to prevail in relations among men in th
1973·Nigeria
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tion of the excellent services rendered to this Organization and humanity by the past Secretaries-General, particularly the late Dag Hammarskjold and U Thant. 5. Thirteen years ago my country was admitted as the ninety-ninth Member of this Organization. On that occasion, the then Prime Minister of Nigeria,
1973·Colombia
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g the new world order. The so-called test-ban Treaty-though it be limited in scope- is nevertheless the indispensable prelude to the creation of what U Thant referred to in 1963 as a better awareness of the need at least to limit the manufacture of devices for mass destruction. 142. It is for those reasons
1973·Japan
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ns of laying the foundation for peace, and, for that purpose, has consistently endeavoured to make the United Nations University a reality ever since U Thant, the former Secretary-General, proposed that project in 1969.® For reasons of history and geography, Japan has had the experience of being a cultural
1973·Zaire
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rskjold, who died in the service of this important Organization and of the Republic of Zaire. 93. My tribute must also be addressed to his successor, U Thant, who gave himself body and soul to the maintenance of peace in the world and who paid special attention to the cause of Zaire. 94. I am very grateful
1972·Mauritius
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s of the peoples of the world. Mr. Secretary-General, may your endeavors bear fruit. 145. I do not think it would be out of place to pay a tribute to U Thant, who retired last December after years of untiring efforts to enhance the power and the prestige of this Assembly. He had always pursued his duties w
1972·Belgium
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he deterioration of the environment, and the persistent poverty of the majority of the world's population. This enumeration confirms the one to which U Thant drew our attention from this same rostrum four years ago. It also coincides, in the main, with the documents published this year by the "Rome Club".
1972·Afghanistan
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to all those countries which have so kindly extended their aid. I would like especially to thank the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, U Thant, for his message to the various specialized agencies of the United Nations concerned with this problem, and those agencies for the timely help they h
1972·Algeria
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n for the invaluable contribution he made to the prestige of the Organization. 270. For the first time, a familiar figure is absent from our debates. U Thant stepped down with all the modesty and simplicity to which he had accustomed us. However, we cannot forget his great contribution to the Organization,
1972·Philippines
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atest being the eminent Indonesian statesman, Foreign Minister Adarn Malik. 189. And as the successor of our highly esteemed former Secretary-General U Thant, whose sterling worth is indicated by his success in holding "the most impossible job in the world" for over 10 years, we are most fortunate in havin
1972·Upper Volta
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ts to the future of our civilization. The United Nations needs men who have faith in it, and Mr. Kurt Waldheim is such a man, as was his predecessor, U Thant, to whom I wish to pay a tribute for his great work as Secretary-General of this Organization for a whole decade. 20. May I likewise on behalf of my
1972·Austria
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with one of the most active periods in world politics, but also with one of the most difficult phases in the history of the United Nations. The place U Thant has taken among the tireless protagonists in the cause of world peace is lasting and unshakable and we shall always be grateful to him. The Austrian
1972·Cyprus
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f the Secretary-General and the presence of constitutional experts from Greece and Turkey as provided in the formula of the former Secretary-General, U Thant, and put into application by the present Secretary-General, Mr. Waldheim are currently taking place in a good atmosphere. We trust that, in a spirit
1972·Syrian Arab Republic
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effectiveness. 81. While we welcome the new Secretary-General, it behooves us to express well-deserved appreciation for the work of his predecessor, U Thant, who directed the affairs of the United Nations through most critical and stormy phases. We shall remember with respect and appreciation the work and
1972·Bolivia
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ct way in which he presided over the twenty-sixth regular session of the General Assembly. 138. On 1 January of this year, Mr. Kurt Waldheim replaced U Thant as Secretary-General of our Organization. UThant carried on his shoulders for many years the enormous responsibility as the executive and co-ordinati
1972·Indonesia
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of universal peace and security deserve our whole-hearted support and appreciation. On this occasion our warm thoughts and deep gratitude also go to U Thant, our former Secretary-General, a great son of Asia, who occupied the highest executive office of our Organization during a decade of turbulence. 72.
1972·Argentina
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ppreciation of the Argentine delegation for the brilliant way in which he guided the work of the twenty-sixth session. 2. At the end of that session, U Thant relinquished his post and we elected a new Secretary-General; at that time the Argentine delegation expressed from the rostrum [2031st meeting] its a
1972·India
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donesia, for the patience and devotion with which he guided our work during the last session. 48. We recall the long years of dedicated service which U Thant gave to the United Nations and for which he will always be remembered with affection and admiration. At the same time, we greet our Secretary-General
1972·Tunisia
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erstood that any economic systems that are going to be adopted are deemed to be tools in man's service, the only objective that counts. 45. Following U Thant, our Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, has forcefully raised the key questions confronting mankind which the United Nations can and should be res
1972·Colombia
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disarmament should be made a reality. While countries of all the continents spend the astronomical figure of $200,000 million a year on armaments, as U Thant, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, pointed out not many months ago, no thought can truly be given to the full implementation of the legal
1972·Peru
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The Government of Peru wishes to pay a tribute of profound respect to former Secretary-General U Thant, who for 10 years unselfishly gave himself to the tasks of building a world at peace. To achieve such a noble goal, U Thant bent his most serious eff
1972·Egypt
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ing]. I again wish him success. We again pledge to co-operate with him whole-heartedly, as we did with his well-remembered and respected predecessor, U Thant. 98. This annual general debate in our Assembly is, or should be, a time for a serious survey of the international actions of all Member States durin
1972·Togo
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ried much weight with this Assembly when it made its choice. 69. I could not fail to mention the eminent role played by our former Secretary-General, U Thant, who has left the powerful imprint of his personality on the life of our community. With respect to his successor, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, his designation
1972·Chad
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s by refraining from doing anything which might jeopardize their negotiations. 40. I would be failing in my duty if, in conclusion, in the absence of U Thant, our former Secretary-General, I were not to pay the tribute to him which he is entitled to expect of us for all that he did during the difficult yea
1972·Nicaragua
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What could be termed activity and fervor in Trygve Lie, heroism and abnegation in Dag Hammarskjold, caution and foresight in U Thant, is pragmatic and corrective flexibility in Kurt Waldheim. 163. Mr. Waldheim's energetic administrative ability leads us to trust that the financial
1972·Thailand
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nguished record of achievement and a countless number of friends among the members of this Assembly. My delegation's good wishes are extended to both U Thant and the Secretary-General for their continued good health and success.
1972·Gabon
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the entry of the People's Republic of China into our world Organization and the election of a new Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, who succeeded U Thant. 5. The Government of Gabon would like to address to our former Secretary-General, U Thant, a very special tribute for the invaluable work he did at
1972·Malawi
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sincere tribute to him for a good job very well done. 241. May I also take this opportunity to pay a further tribute to the former Secretary-General, U Thant, for his modesty, integrity and unassuming character which, among other things, greatly contributed to making him an ideal international civil servan
1972·Romania
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activities in the service of strengthening the Organization and increasing its role in international life. 32. I should also like to pay a tribute to U Thant for his untiring efforts and his devotion to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. 33. The participation of the Socialist Republ
1972·Liberia
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d effective gavel will long be remembered by all who sat here. 91. All of us entertain an abiding appreciation of the dedication and sacrifices which U Thant as Secretary- General gave this Organization.
1972·Haiti
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ound of supposed racial superiority. Yet racism persists with its inevitable genocidal component and threatens to become, as former Secretary-General U Thant wrote, a hideous monster ready to devour everything beneficial mankind has thus far succeeded in achieving and of reducing men to a bestial level of
1972·Morocco
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y have made of this a profession of faith whose defense was not always without its dangers. 128. In this connexion, I should like to pay a tribute to U Thant, who had felt and shared in this aspiration and who contributed with remarkable patience to the emergence of this new political context which brought
1971·Japan
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utstanding leadership last year during our twenty-fifth anniversary session.. 33. I wish to pay my sincere respects to our esteemed SecretaryGeneral, U Thant, and to express my profound appreciation for his dedication to the noble efforts of the United Nations for world peace. 34. I now take pleasure in ex
1971·Ghana
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eat debt of gratitude, and I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to express the sincere and warm thanks of the Government and people of Ghana to U Thant, and to extend to him our heartfelt good wishes for his future, 131. This session, the first after last year's session marking the twenty-fifth birth
1971·Belgium
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to the Secretary-General, during the vote for his successor, by trying to bear in mind the noble conception of the Secretary-General's function that U Thant has so well incarnated and described.
1971·Pakistan
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istic understanding but his rare combination of geniality and firmness lent luster to that office during the commemorative session. 60. Ten years ago U Thant accepted the office of Secretary-General in an hour of crisis for the United Nations. A controversy raged over the powers and responsibilities of tha
1971·France
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session without also paying the same tribute to a man who has preserved and guided our Organization for 10 years with patient and serene energy. May U Thant accept our gratitude. It is yet too early to bid him farewell. 4 Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and under Wat
1971·Ireland
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lf to seeing its future decided by outsiders. 120. It is our very great loss that we must fear we shall soon no longer have the personal guidance of 'U Thant in these efforts of ours. I say personal guidance, for even when he will lay down his office-despite, I am sure, the unanimous wish of this Assembly
1971·Mauritius
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inuing to speak on behalf of my head of Government and also in my own name, 1 wish to express my very sincere felicitations to the Secretary-General, U Thant, who is completing his second term of office this year. The dedicated service of the Secretary-General during the past 10 years for the fulfillment o
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