Essential to the world, essential to my country.

• Author: Arystanbekova, Akmaral

Perspectives: After the Soviet Union

Following the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ten years ago, its constituent republics joined the United Nations as newly independent States. The USSR was an original member of the world Organization from 24 October 1945, as were Belarus (the erstwhile Byelorussia) and Ukraine. In a letter dated 24 December 1991, President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation informed the Secretary-General that the membership of the Soviet Union in the Security Council and all other United Nations organs was being continued by the Russian Federation, with the support of the twelve member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Subsequently, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were admitted to the United Nations, joining Belarus and Ukraine along with the Russian Federation. In this special feature, we bring perspectives on the United Nations today from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uk raine and their role in its continuing renewal and development.

At turning paints in the development of civilization, the role and significance of international relations and world politics for mankind's very survival are reassessed. This is happening right now, having crossed the threshold of a new century and a new millennium. The realities of the modern world, the profound changes in paradigms, and new social and cultural aspirations call for new kinds of international cooperation. The historical experience of the past century reaffirms the enduring significance of the solidarity and unity of peoples and the commonality of mankind's most basic interests and hopes. The United Nations has proved to be the best structure for realizing this age-old political ideal and has become its global incarnation. The over fifty years of eventful history of this unique international Organization have revealed the contradictions between idealism and power politics, between solidarity and selfish national interests.

The United Nations was established as a reflection of mankind's most cherished hopes for world peace, justice, human rights and democratic freedoms. Throughout its existence, it has mirrored the state of world development, as well as mankind's successes and failures. The United Nations was meant to become a community of nations and ensure the triumph of the lofty ideals of humanism, the principles of...