The President

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.

The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations.

I would like to make the following statement on behalf of the members of the Security Council:

"It was fifty years ago that the Asia-Pacific region saw the end of the Second World War, a devastating war that shattered the lives of tens of millions of people in this region. On this solemn occasion, we pay tribute to those who laid down their lives and the other victims of the war.

"Having survived the catastrophe of the Second World War, mankind sought to embrace new means to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy. To this end, the United Nations was established, with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security conferred on the Security Council by the Charter.

"Unity and harmony among nations would be the most honourable and noble way to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for peace during the Second World War. For this reason, it is appropriate for the Security Council to pay homage on this anniversary to all the victims of the Second World War in the Asia-Pacific region."

May I now invite the members of the Council to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Second World War.

The President

The Security Council has thus concluded its consideration of the item on its agenda.