U N I T E D...N A T I O N S

N A T I O N S...U N I E S

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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MESSAGE TO THE WORLD FAMILY SUMMIT
Sanya, 6-9 December 2004

........This World Family Summit, coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, is a welcome effort to promote the role of the family in the work for peace, security, justice, solidarity and prosperity worldwide. It underlines the role of the family as the most fundamental and sustainable unit of society. It reminds us that the family is among the most important arenas in socializing and educating younger generations, and in providing care and support for older generations. As such, the family plays a crucial role in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, adopted by all countries as a blueprint for building a better world in the 21st century.

........By bringing together Governments and Civil Society from so many countries, this summit offers an important platform for forging effective partnerships and achieving exceptionally broad consensus on the specific needs of families and on ways to meet them. I thank the Government of China as well as all summit participants for their commitment to that mission, and wish you a most successful meeting.