Rosmah: United Nations praised my First Ladies Summit

"Ban (ki-moon) told me he would read the declaration and, if necessary, he would convene a summit where all first ladies would be invited to attend," said Rosmah.

UN Praise For Malaysia's Initiative

HANOI - Malaysia came in for praise Saturday from the United Nations for initiating a move to resolve issues and problems affecting children, youths and women around the world.

The commendation came from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who had handed to him the declaration of the inaugural First Ladies Summit hosted by Malaysia last month.

"Ban told me he would read the declaration and, if necessary, he would convene a summit where all first ladies would be invited to attend," said Rosmah, who had accompanied Najib to the 17th Asean Summit and Related Summits, here.

She spoke to Malaysian journalists after handing over to Ban here the declaration of the inaugural First Ladies Summit in Kuala Lumpur attended by 15 first ladies, six representatives of first ladies and 20 ministers. It had carried the theme "A Child Today, A Leader Tomorrow."

Rosmah said the declaration was most important because it contained "the voices of the children and youths of the world who feel that something should be done before the world is handed to them as its future leaders."

"The first ladies feel that the next generation of leaders should not inherit the current problems which can pose a burden for them.

"Ban also agreed that the future generation should inherit a more stable and peaceful world, with a cleaner atmosphere and without wars and quarrels.

"With the handing over of the declaration, I have, most importantly, fulfilled my responsibility," she said.

Rosmah said Ban informed her at their meeting that the UN viewed with concern issues affecting children, youths and women around the world.

She said she informed Ban that the first ladies were keen to play a role in helping to ease the burden shouldered by the UN which spent huge sums of money to resolve issues affecting these groups, including in the field of education and as a result of natural disasters.

"I informed Ban that the first ladies resolved to tackle these problems upon their return to their own countries.

"The first ladies feel that not all problems should be left to the UN to resolve," she said.

The First Ladies Summit 2010, initiated and hosted by Rosmah, focused on ways in which families, communities and governments could work together to uncover the potential in every child. - Bernama