Looking back, I must say that the Tripartite Forum has come a long way since its formation. At its inception two years ago, there were few partners and observers. Thanks to the hard work of the Core Group – comprising representatives of UN Member States, UN system and the NGO community – the number of partners and observers has since grown. The Forum has also created a visible impact by the 2005 and 2006 Tripartite Conferences on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace and Development. There is now a global awareness of the existence of the Tripartite Forum and how this Forum could be an effective vehicle to contribute to peace and security as well as development. The resolution (61/221) that was adopted last year has given a new impetus to the Forum’s programmes and activities.

We remember H.E. Ambassador Lauro Baja, Jr., who until recently gave inspiration and leadership to this Forum. He has returned back to the Philippines after completing his tenure in New York. I would like to thank him on behalf of our UN system colleagues. Also I would like to mention Sarah Titchen, programme Specialist of the UNESCO Office in New York, who effectively mobilized the UN system to participate in the Forum. She is away on a sabbatical to Australia. I would like to thank her for the dynamic contribution to the various processes.

A wonderful spirit of cooperation has prevailed all throughout the last two years among the Tripartite partners – UN Member States, NGOs and UN system organizations. No doubt this wonderful cooperative spirit led to the success of its past programmes and activities. Now with a new vision under the leadership of H.E. Ambassador Hilario Davide, jr., let us all work together in the same spirit of cooperation to make bigger successes especially the General Assembly’s high-level dialogue planned for 2007 and also other related programmes and activities.

Thank you.