1. law, govt and politics
2. legal issues
3. human rights

United Nations Association of San Francisco (UNA-SF.org)
Special Edition, UN-DAY 2013
in Syria, a typhoon bringing devastation and great
loss of lives in the Philippines and 80 tornados
reported in the U.S. Today the UN can add the
historical conversations and agreements with Iran
about its nuclear program – yes, the UN’s
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was
involved at the heart of these talks.
The UN is actively addressing all these great
What is UNA-SF?
The United Nations Association of San Francisco
(UNA-SF) is the San Francisco chapter of the United
Nations Association of the United States (UNA-USA),
a nonprofit organization dedicated to building public
understanding of the principles of the United
Nations and support for its vital work.
challenges regardless of major obstacles such as
opposition from “contrarians” or missing essential
funding that the U.S. withdrew from UNESCO.
Nevertheless, the UN continues its mission to
protect, educate, assist and promote human rights,
health and cultural programs around our very small
planet. Let us be hopeful that the effects of global
Message from UNA-SF President
The UN Day 2013 was recently celebrated
throughout the world. We all spoke and reflected on
the work that this magnificent organization has been
doing world-wide since 1945. We are reminded
almost every day of the various areas where the UN
is at work, now, this very minute, including peace
keeping, feeding refugees, vaccinating children,
assisting in natural disasters, educating about global
warming, treaties and much more. The United
Nations does not focus on just some of these
challenges; it focuses on all of them.
Contents
Message from UNA-SF President
Origin of the UN-Day
UNDP and the MDGs
San Francisco Fairmont and the UN
UNESCO International Jazz Day
United Nations Film Festival 2013
International Atomic Energy Agency
Sustainable Energy for All Initiative
UN-SF Relationship (Part II )
Editor: Hossein Kamalii
[email protected]
Communication Chair: Roger Eaton
[email protected]
September, October and November 2013 have been
particularly busy times for the UN, starting with the
Syrian conflict and crisis and the terrible possibilities
of military intervention by the U.S. regarding the use
of chemical weapons. Since then we have seen
peace keeping efforts in African countries, an
earthquake in the Philippines, an outbreak of polio
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warming do not bring any more disasters any time
soon and that treaties are ratified and conclusive
peace agreements signed. Let us be hopeful that
funding by all States around the world will be
provided to the UN. I cannot avoid thinking about
the great initiative that 50 countries put together 68
years ago in San Francisco, California, USA.
and obligations of the UN organs and the member
states. United Nations headquarters in New York,
Geneva, Paris, Rome and Vienna are considered to
be international zones belonging to all members of
the United Nations.
When James Byrnes, U.S. Sec of State, signed the
protocol he remarked that “The UN Charter was
now part of the Law of Nations” and that “it was a
memorable day for the peace-loving people of all
nations”.
Origin of the name of “United Nations”
and the “UN- Day”
President Franklin D. Roosevelt first suggested the
name “United Nations” in January 1942 at the
Atlantic Conference in Washington D.C. When,
representatives of 26 countries signed the
“Declaration by United Nations”. In February 1945,
Churchill, Stalin and the US President Roosevelt met
in the city of Yalta, Russia and agreed to a) the
creation of the United Nations, and b) that San
Francisco would be the site of the United Nations
Conference on International Organization.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural
Organization
(UNESCO)
UNESCO was the first United Nations agency1,
created shortly after the United Nations came into
existence. It was the decision of the UN Conference
for the establishment of an educational, scientific,
and cultural organization, held in London
November 16, 1945. UNESCO, a UN specialized
agency,
promotes a culture of peace through
education programs and protects the world cultural
heritage through intercultural dialogue, international
collaboration, and the transfer and sharing of
The UN Charter was signed at the War Memorial
Building in San Francisco on June 26, 1945, and the
UN came into existence on October 24 of the same
year. The U.N. General Assembly in its Resolution
2782 on 6 December 1971 declared 24 October as
the United Nations Day and recommended that it
should be observed as a public holiday by all
Member States. As of UN Day 2013, 193 countries,
including nearly every state in the world, have joined
the United Nations.
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The International Labour Organization (ILO), one of the
oldest agencies, predates the creation of the United
Nations. Headquartered in Geneva, ILO was established in
1919 under the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency
of the League of Nations. The ILO became a UN specialized
agency in 1946.
The UN Charter, as the United Nations
constitution, sets guidelines describing the rights
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knowledge in the field of education, culture, and
human sciences. With its headquarters in Paris,
UNESCO covers 196 member states including,
Palestine joined in November 2o11.
UNESCO and San Francisco
It is interesting to learn that the name and concept
of “Earth DAY” was first initiated at a UNESCO
Conference here in San Francisco in March 1969.
The Conference aimed at raising public awareness of
Earth’s natural environment.. Earth Day is now an
annual event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate
support for environment protection.
Cheryl Jean of Chez Berlue welcomed the guests.
More recently, on 20 March 2013, San Francisco
Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Chief of Protocol Charlotte
Shultz welcomed UNESCO Director-General Irina
Bokova at the City Hall. With government, business,
educational and cultural leaders in attendance at the
ceremony including UNA-SF President Castro.
Pablo Castro, UNA-SF President while thanking the host,
briefed the audience about UNA-SF art and cultural
programs. Pablo expressed the hope for UNESCO-UNA
cooperation
in
cultural
events.
UNA-SF Art Group led by Ms Keiko Nelson of Japan has
successfully organized a number of art and cultural
exhibitions.
The Mayor touted San Francisco for its appreciation
of other cultures and of mutual enrichment through
intercultural cooperation. Referring to the purpose
of her visit to the United States, UNESCO DirectorGeneral reiterated her strong commitment towards
enhancing knowledge about UNESCO’s work in the
world
across
the
United
States.
UNESCO International Jazz Day is a yearly event
celebrated with jazz music as an educational tool for
promoting
peace
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog, was created in
1957, as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organization
within the United Nations system. The IAEA primary
goal is to promote safe and peaceful applications of
nuclear energy. The IAEA Board of Governors, along
with its General Conference is the policymaking body
of the Agency composed of 35 member states,
considers and approves the Agency’s budget and
programs.
The IAEA monitors and verifies states’ compliance
with their obligations under “the Nuclear Non-
The International Jazz Day in San.
Francisco was commemorated on April 30, 2013 at
the Chez Berlue on Union Street. The guests were
entertained with live jazz performances presented
by Jazz School of Berkeley and, the Hot Club of San
Francisco
proliferation Treaty (NPT)” to ensure that nuclear
materials and facilities are not diverted for military
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Entrance to the IAEA Building,
Vienna-Austria, photos © H. Kamali
purposes. The IAEA monitors nuclear programs
worldwide and strengthens nuclear security by
conducting workshops and educational. To this end,
the agency inspectors carry out regular inspections
in nuclear-related installations covered under the
YUkiya
Amano,
1AEA
Metro Station, -Vienna International Centre
While headquartered at the Vienna International
Centre, the IAEA has regional offices in New York,
Geneva, Toronto and Tokyo. IAEA policymaking
bodies, consists of the IAEA Board of Governors, and
the General Conference.
Director-General
speaking at the “France nuclear exhibit” Vienna, 19 Sep 2012.
photos by; H. Kamali
IAEA safeguard program. In this context, the Agency
created a Special Task Force on Iran’s nuclear
program in August 2012. The Task Force, consisting
of nuclear weapon experts, intelligence analysts and
other specialists is investigating the allegation that
Iran is working on developing nuclear weapons.
According to IAEA statement at the time, the Task
Force will concentrate on implementing agreements
with Iran allowing it to monitor nuclear activities
mandated by Nonproliferation Treaty as well as
relevant IAEA and UN Security Council Resolutions
on Iran. It was the first time that the International
Atomic Agency established a special task force to
monitor a single country.
.
IAEA Building, Vienna- Austria
United Nations Association Film Festival
(UNAFF)
UNAFF was established in 1998 to honor the 50th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. UNAFF celebrated its 16 years of raising
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Energy Poverty
What is Energy Poverty? Energy poverty means
not having sufficient energy sources for the needs of
population. Over 1.3 billion people lack access to
electricity and another 2.6 billion people of world
population still rely on “traditional biomass”, wood,
charcoal, or animal waste as their main fuel sources
for cooking and heating. Using such polluting fuels
caused by these traditional practices kills many
every.
Energy poverty applies to people in places and
areas with low income, poor energy sources, and
services. Access to energy is critical to sustainable
development, employment and income generation..
Africa, with the lowest rate of electrification in the
world suffers the most from energy poverty.
public awareness on Human Rights issues facing
the international community by presenting
democracy films.
The October 17-27, 2013 program was
organized with “Individual to Universal” as its
theme.
On 23 October 2013, selected films were.
shown at the Independent Film Center in San
Francisco addressing :
“Sustainable Energy for All Initiative”
The
new
UN
establishment
In response to this challenge, Ban Ki-moon, UN
Secretary-General announced the creation of the
“Sustainable Energy for All Initiative”, to be guided
by a high level group, as a key player towards
providing sustainable energy for all by 2030. The
Initiative has the following main objectives:
UNAFF Panel discussion at the San Francisco
Independent Film Center was moderated by
Jasmina Boji, Founder and Executive Director
UNAFF Film Festival. Photo by: George Geevargiss
• Ensuring universal access to modern energy services.
• Doubling the global rate of improvement in energy
efficiency.
•Doubling the share of renewable energy in the global
energy mix.
a) child labor and slavery in the chocolate
industry documented in Ivory Coast in West
Africa, and b) the constructive role of industrial
cooperatives in Europe and the U.S
On September 22, 2012, UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon
announced
the
new
Leadership
arrangement for his Sustainable Energy for All
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Initiative. Dr Kandeh K. Yumkella,
outgoing
Director-General of the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
and Chair of UN-Energy, was appointed as Special
United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) & the Millennium Development Goals.
(MDGs) - www.undp.org
Representative of the Secretary-General, and Chief
Executive Officer of the “Sustainable Energy for All.
Global Partnership for Development
Poverty, for decades, has been the major challenge
facing
the
international
community.
UNDP, the UN global development agency was the
leading UN agency in launching the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), the most significant
development program in the history of the United
Nations.
Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella
Addressing the UN General Assembly, the SecretaryGeneral stated, “I am very pleased that Dr.
Yumkella and Jim Yong Kim, President of the World
Bank have agreed to serve in leadership positions
for this important new initiative”
The launching of the Millennium Development Goals
dates back to September 2000 when the leaders of
189 nations gathered at the UN headquarters in New
York to attend the UN Millennium Summit under the
theme; ”the Role of the United Nations in the
The UN General Assembly declared 2012 as the
International year of Sustainable Energy for All, and
some twenty international organizations including
UN agencies, the World Bank and WTO as well as
NGOs and private sector groups are supporting the
Initiative.
twenty-first century”.
At this summit the world leaders adopted the United
Nations Millennium Declaration and pledged to
achieve a set of integrated global development
targets under the Millennium Development Goals
with poverty eradication at the top of the
international agenda.
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I got the opportunity to meet with Dr. Yumkella at
his new office building next to the UN headquarters
in Vienna. While briefly explained the UNA of San
Francisco, conveyed congratulations and good
wishes to Dr Yumkella in his global mission.
Dr. Yumkella was pleased with the great
international support for the “Energy for All
Initiative”, and welcomed UNA-USA efforts in
advocating the vital work of the United Nations,
especially the city of San Francisco, the birthplace
of the organization( Hossein Kamali)
Nelson Mandela, the great leader of Africa, and
“world figure fighting poverty and inequality,
said”:: “Overcoming poverty is not a charity. It is an
act of justice. It is the protection of fundamental
human rights, the right of dignity and a decent life”
Kofi Annan, UN Secretary–General, noted the close
connection between human rights and poverty
when
he
said:
“Wherever we lift one soul from a life of
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convey congratulations to Ms Clark along with best
poverty, we are defending human rights. And
whenever we fail in this mission, we are failing
human rights.”
wishes to UNDP towards achieving the MDGs.
Millennium Development Goals Beyond 2015
UNDP, with its development network of 166 country
offices, works closely with the governments, private
sector and NGOs towards achieving the MDGs. It has
played an important role in the MDG partnership to
fight poverty by providing policy advice and helping
institutional capacity building.
At the MDG Summit in September 2010, UN
member states inititated steps towards advancing
the global development agenda beyond 2015. In July
2012,
UN
Secretary-General
Ban
Kimoon,established a UN high level team to
coordinate preparations for beyond 2015. “The highlevel panel consiss of 27 members from governments,
NGOs and business community to advise on the gobal
development framewark beyond 2015”.
In its efforts to achieve the MDGs, UNDP coordinates
its activities with other UN agencies at the country
level. UNDP has also been monitoring transparency
of countries’ progress towards the Goals, and
sharing of successful practices.
The UN Refugee Agency
(UNHCR) is to protect
and assist millions of
refugees worldwide
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General while launching
2013 Development Report stated “The MDGs have
mobilized action from governments, civil society
and other partners around the world with
significant results.”
Despite great efforts, fighting poverty, not least in
Africa, remains a major challenge facing the
international community. In view of the MDGs
experts group represented by UN and African
organizations in Addis Ababa, “while peace, security
and stability is crucial for development, poverty
eradication is the core and dynamic element in the
achievement of the MDGs”.
A sample of UNHCR tents
provided for the Syrian
refugees in Turkey.
photos; H. Kamali
United Nations Postal Administration
Generating public awareness in support of the vital
work on the United Nations including UNDP in
achieving the Millennium Development Goals has
been a priority emphasized by the UNA-USA in its
advocacy agenda. UNA-SF welcomes the
appointment of Helen Clark, former Prime Minister
of New Zealand, as UNDP Administrator confirmed
by the UN General Assembly for a second term on
April 30, 2013. Helen Clark is the first woman to
lead the UN's global development network.
United Nations is the only world organization which
is permitted to issue stamps and provide postal
services. “An agreement made between US
government and the United Nations to issue
stamps in USD. Similar agreement were made
between Austrian and Swiss governments to issue
stamps in Euro and Swiss Francs” The Stamps are
very collectible and can also be used for postage”
provided they are mailed at the UN Headquarters’ in
New York, Geneva and Vienna. For instance you may
The United Nations Association of San Francisco
(UNA-SF) would like to take this opportunity to
purchase UN stamps and mail your material at
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the post office located at the visitors’ Lobby at
the UN Headquarters in New York.
UN stamps with a variety of designs created by
artists are educational reflecting the Charter’s
goals and achievements of the organization,
e.g., Human Rights; Peacekeeping, UN-Day
celebrations, Labor; Women’s Empowerment,
and Environment; The first United Nations
stamps were issued in $US on the UN-Day, 24
October, 1951.
Global Earth Summit (RIO-20)
Selected UN Stamps of personal collection
©Hossein Kamali
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Extracted from research document by Hossein Kamali, UNA-SF Board Member (part II)
The origin of the United Nations Charter
President Truman accompanied by US officials
arrived in San Francisco for the signing of the
Charter and closing of the Conference.
The Fairmont San Francisco, known as the “White
House of the West,” plays a big role in UN-San
Francisco history. The Fairmont hosted world leaders
and delegates to the 1945 United Nations
International Conference. It was here at The
Fairmont’s San Francisco Garden Room that the
United
Nations
Charter
was
drafted.”
President Truman waved as he arrived at
The Fairmont San Francisco
Plaque
displayed
at
the
entrance
of
the
“Garden Room”, The Fairmont Francisco 25 April- 26 June 1945”
“In this Room Met the Consultants of Forty
Two Organizations assigned to the United States
Delegations at the Conference on Intentional
Organization in which the United Nations Charter
was drafted. Their Contribution is Particularly
Reflected in the Charter Provisions for Human
Rights and United Nations Consultation with
private organizations On 25 June 1945”
Fairmont hosted World leaders attending the San
Francisco International Conference, April-June 1945
The above are the leaders from the Soviet Union,
France, United Kingdom, China, and the United
States , Fairmont Penthouse, April 1945
Source; Fairmont San Francisco
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Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General in San
Francisco April 1998
The purpose of the Secretary-General’s visit to San
Francisco was to talk about the need for partnership
between the UN and business community, academic
and citizens’ organizations. His program included
attending the ceremony at the War Memorial
Building, meeting with business leaders, Resource
Center of the United Nations---and speech at the
University of California, Berkeley. Kofi Annan said
“The War Memorial Building
where the United Nations charter was signed”
Major UN-related events during and after
San Francisco Conference
“the United Nations must not be aloof”. “Security
is more than the absence of war.”
President Roosevelt died only two weeks before the
opening of the UN-International Conference. Upon
his death, Governor Warren of California, declared
two days of public sorrow and Mayor Lahan
proclaimed April 14, 1945 as an official day of
mourning in San Francisco.
Roosevelt Memorial Ceremony
Muir Woods, 1945
Kofi Annan, at the luncheon hosted by the United
On May 19, 1945, some 500 delegates and advisors
to the United Nations Conference in San Francisco
travelled to Muir Woods and held a ceremony in
memory of the late President Roosevelt. A plaque
which can still be visited today was placed with:
Nations Association USA, Commonwealth Club and World
Affairs Council. Fairmont San Francisco, 20 April 1998
photo by: George Geevargis
To learn more about the UN-Fairmont historic
event, our board member met with Tom F. Wolfe,
“America’s First Concierge”, who kindly guided him
to the archival photographs and the Garden Room,
in which the UN Charter was drafted..
“Here in this Grove of Enduring Redwoods, reserved for
posterity, Members of the United Nations Conference on
International Organization met on May 19, 1945 to
honor the Memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, ThirtyFirst President of the United States, Chief architect of the
United Nations, and Apostle of Lasting Peace for All
Mankind.”
Tom Wolfe and Hossein Kamali at the Fairmont
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UN Educational Exhibit
Sponsored by the UNA-SF and YMCA
By: Roger Eaton
Board member Hossein Kamali* has teamed
up with the YMCA Buchanan Exec Director,
Rodney Chin, to set up a UN educational
exhibit aimed at educating young people on
the vital work of the United Nations. The
exhibit's focus is on the UN relationship with
San Francisco. Images highlight the origin of
the UN and the UN Charter as the constitution
of the world’s organization along with UN
Plaza and UN Day celebrations in the years
since 1945. Other images demonstrate the
vital work of the organization: Human Rights,
women's issues, Refugees, and the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs). Also there are
photos from recent UN events in Vienna that
Mr Kamali attended. Phase II of the project
will cover UN development programs in Africa
with a display of UN-related books, flags,
maps, journals and posters alongside items
representing trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and
African cultural values.
*I wish to express my thanks and gratitude to the
following UN officers at the Vienna International
Centre (VIC) , who, provided me with valuable
information and material for our UN/Africa Exhibit
in San Francisco: Nyron Sequeria, UN Protocol
Officer;
Mohammad
Dionne,
Chief
Africa
Programme;; Anthony AK Kamara, Protocol Officer
“Energy for All”; Mikhail Evstafyev, Head UNIDO
Advocacy and External Relations and Charles
Arthur, Communication Officer( Hossein Kamali).
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Ban-Ki-moon 2007-
Kofi Anan 1997-2006
Kofi Annan portrait at Kofi Anan Hall, E Building
UN Headquarters, Vienna
Kurt Waldheim
1961-1971
U Thant
1972-1981
United Nations secretary-Generals
Boutros BOUTROS-GHAL, UN Secretary-General at the
UNA-USA Convention
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
1992-1996
Javier Perez de Cuellar
1982-1991
UN Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar visit to Africa,
Dag Hammarskjold
1953-1961
Trygve Halvdan Lie
1946-1952
in conversation with Hossein Kamali, UNIDO Senior
Field Adviser Source: Encounters in West Africa, Canada 2002
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