Challenges Facing the United Nations in 2007

United Kingdom Ambassador to the United Nations to Address the International Business Community

UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sir Emyr Jones Parry will address the international business community in Philadelphia at the Holiday Luncheon of the British American Business Council (BABC) on Friday, December 8, 12 noon at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. Sir Emyr will discuss the challenges of the United Nations in the 21st century, “Is the United Nations Fit for Purpose?”.

The United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations is probably the busiest UK multilateral Post in the world. Its work covers a wide range of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's objectives from the peaceful settlement of disputes to protecting the environment, from respect for human rights to promoting sustainable development. UKMIS, with support from other Government Departments, represents the UK in every negotiation that takes place in New York, ensuring that Britain's interests and views are taken into account by UN bodies and the other member states. Hours are long and negotiations can be tough and intricate. But playing a key part in achieving a successful outcome can be very rewarding.

“Is the UN up to the job? Is this unique organization, born out of the ashes of the World War II, capable of dealing with the challenges we face in the 21st century? Is the UN fit for purpose? The challenge for the UN and its member states is to ensure that it can meet current and future demands rapidly, effectively and efficiently. And that will require further reform of the organizations itself” says Sir Emyr.

Sir Emyr has long represented Britain in international affairs. Before serving at the United Nations, he was the United Kingdom’s representative to the North Atlantic Council and political director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. A multilateralist, Sir Emyr believes that the UN is the indispensable global organization helping to tackle the problems of a globalizing world, issues which recognize no borders and which nation states cannot tackle alone - disease, poverty, degradation of the environment, terror, WMD, humanitarian relief, human rights and human displacement, and illegal drugs.

The British American Business Council (BABC), an affiliate of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, will bring together members of the international business community to this unique transatlantic business luncheon.

The cost is $85 for BABC Members and $ 100 for non-members. To register, please contact Ricardo Maldonado at 215-790-3627 or Ricardo@greaterphilachamber.com. Your payment includes a chance to win two round trip tickets, Philadelphia to London courtesy of British Airways.