50 years of Italy at the United Nations

Egidio Ortona, Permanent Representative
845th meeting Security Council, second speaker
January 30, 1959

May I first of all thank you very much, on behalf of my Government and myself, personally, for the kind words with which you have welcomed my country in this Council. I have also been deeply touched by the greetings which have been expressed by all the representatives, to whom go my very sincere thanks. As you are aware, this is Italy’s first term as a member of the Security Council. We are indeed honoured to participate with the other delegations represented here in the work of this important body of our Organization. I am particularly glad to succeed to the seat which has been occupied with so much distinction and success during the past two years by the representative of Sweden. I consider it a special privilege that my appointment as permanent representative of Italy to the United Nations should nearly coincide with the election of my country to the Security Council.

We are deeply conscious that such participation entails a serious responsibility. The Charter has entrusted to the Council a task of primary importance for the maintenance of international peace and security in a climate of justice and preservation of human rights. The persistence of tensions in present international relations stresses even more the responsibilities connected with this important task. The new scientific discoveries, while opening the road to enormous possibilities for the improvement of the conditions of life of mankind, have made available weapons which may lead to its ultimate destruction. More than ever it is essential, in these circumstances, that all States settle their disputes by peaceful means. The Security Council should and can in our opinion give the lead and the example towards the attainment of such peaceful settlements.

Needless to say, during its tenure of office, Italy will do its utmost to support the authority of the Council, with the object of promoting – as it has endeavoured to do since its admission to membership in all other bodies of the United Nations – the purposes and principles of the Charter. And I look forward with keen interest to co-operating with the other delegations represented here in the implementation of this task.