Agenda Item 36
Bethlehem 2000
Resolution 54/22 (Adopted on 10 November
1999/Consensus)
Bethlehem 2000
The
General Assembly,
Recalling the fact that the Palestinian
city of Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ and one of the most historic and
significant sites on earth,
Noting that the world will celebrate in
Bethlehem, a city of peace, the onset of the new millennium in a global vision of hope for
all peoples,
Stressing the monumental importance of the event for the Palestinian people, for the
peoples of the region and for the international community as a whole, as it comprises
significant religious, historical and cultural dimensions,
Aware of the Bethlehem 2000 project as a
multi-faceted undertaking for commemoration of the event, which will begin at Christmas
1999 and conclude at Easter 2001,
Aware also of the needed
assistance with regard to the above-mentioned project, and expressing appreciation for the
steps taken towards increasing the engagement and participation of the international
community, including donor countries, and organizations of United Nations system, in
particular the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the
United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, as well as the European
Commission, religious institutions and others,
Welcoming the convening of the Bethlehem
2000 International Conference in Rome from 18 to 19 February 1999 and the participation of
many high-level individuals and institutions from governmental, religious,
intergovernmental, academic, cultural, non-governmental and private sectors in this
important Conference,
Expressing the need for immediate change
in the situation on the ground in the vicinity of Bethlehem, especially with regard to
ensuring freedom of movement,
Stressing
the need for ensuring free and unhindered access to the Holy Places in Bethlehem to the
faithful of all religions and the citizens of all nationalities,
Expressing the hope for rapid progress in
the Middle East peace process and the achievement of the final settlement between the
Palestinian and Israeli sides by September 2000, as agreed by the parties, so that the
millennium may be celebrated most appropriately in an atmosphere of peace and
reconciliation,
1.
Welcomes the impending arrival of this global,
historic celebration in Bethlehem of the birth of Jesus Christ and the onset of the third
millennium as a symbol of the shared hope for peace among all peoples of the world;
2.
Expresses support for the Bethlehem 2000 project and
commends the efforts undertaken by the Palestinian Authority in this regard;
3.
Takes note with appreciation the assistance given by the
international community in support of the Bethlehem 2000 project, and calls for the
acceleration of assistance and engagement by the international community as a whole,
including private sector participation, to ensure the success of the Bethlehem 2000
project and the fruition of this monumental commemoration;
4.
Requests the Secretary-General to continue to
mobilize the pertinent organizations and agencies of the United Nations system to increase
their efforts towards ensuring the success of Bethlehem 2000 project;
5.
Decides to include in the
provisional agenda of its fifty-fifth session the item entitled Bethlehem 2000
so that it may have a renewed opportunity to reaffirm its further support for the Project
until the commemoration comes to close at Easter 2001. |