World leaders adopt declaration to commemorate 50th anniversary of the United Nations.

• Position: Cover Story

It was the largest gathering of world leaders in history - presidents, prime ministers, kings, princes, sultans, Heads of State and Heads of Government of all races, creeds, colour and political background.

They converged on the 18-acre site of United Nations Headquarters in New York during three crisp fall days in October, their flag-bedecked limousine motorcades slowly wending their way through Manhattan streets and avenues - strangely empty due to the strictures of unprecedented security - arriving at UN Headquarters on First Avenue to pay homage to the existence for half a century of the world Organization.

"I welcome the Heads of the States and Governments of the world", Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations, declared in opening the special three-day commemorative session, from 22 to 24 October, which capped nine months of celebrations and observances worldwide of the UN's golden jubilee.

"Welcome to your home, the home of the world's peoples. Welcome to the forum of the United Nations - the forum of peace, understanding and development. Welcome to you all, and heartfelt greetings to the world's leaders."

General Assembly President Diogo Freitas do Amaral told the opening meeting: "Supporting the United Nations - that should be our collective pledge in this Special Commemorative Meeting. Reforming the United Nations - that should be our political commitment during these three days. We must not allow this Organization to die at the hands of its critics, nor to perish for lack of commitment of its supporters."

Over the next three days - from early Sunday morning through late Tuesday evening - some 200 speakers addressed the Assembly, including 129 Heads of State and Government, most of whom were present for the historic group photograph of debate participants (see cover and pp. 40-41) which recorded the unprecedented assemblage.

They also met, in their hotel rooms and mission offices throughout New York, to discuss ongoing political crises and problems on their everyday agendas, using the quiet behind-the-scenes diplomacy that characterizes the real world of international politics.

And there were social gatherings for the dignitaries and their spouses: luncheons in the UN's North Lounge, at round tables decorated with colourful flowers, and at the ancient Temple of Dendur exhibit inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art; a VIP dinner at New York's World Financial Center; a special concert by the New York...