Resolution 54/22
(November 10, 1999)
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 multifaceted
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 the 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, on 18 and 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 that 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. Notes 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 to ensure the success of the Bethlehem 2000
project;
5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its
fifty-fifth session the item entitled "Bethlehem 2000" so
that the General Assembly may have a renewed opportunity to reaffirm
its further support for the project until the commemoration comes to
a close at Easter, 2001.
51st plenary meeting
10 November 1999
Sources: The United Nations |