selective manner and without any double standards. My country's Government is also aware of the need to modernize and develop the United Nations and its organs so that they can play the role required of them. The desired reform is achievable by giving the General Assembly a basic role, comparable to that played by the Security Council, in the maintenance of international peace and security. We also need to ensure that this goes hand in hand with an earnest and credible approach in which the principles of international legitimacy, the provisions of international law and the requirements of international justice are respected. The important reforms in this field include restriction of the use of the right of veto by requiring the Permanent Members to undertake not to avail themselves of this right in order to veto measures designed to ensure the implementation of resolutions previously adopted by the Security Council. There is also a need to strengthen the role of the Economic and Social Council and ensure closer coordination among United Nations funds, programmes and activities. Mr. President, We were deeply grieved to learn of the disastrous floods that have afflicted our brothers in Pakistan, where hundreds of thousands have been made homeless when their homes were destroyed, their farms washed away and their villages inundated. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, will spare no effort in assisting the victims of the disaster, providing relief and mitigating the plight of the needy, and will continue to dispatch financial and in-kind assistance, field hospitals and land and air rescue and first-aid teams, in confirmation and continuation of my country's commitment to play its humanitarian role in assisting States afflicted by natural or man-made disasters, including wars and armed conflicts. The contributions that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is making, either directly or through specialized international organizations, in the field of emergency relief are well known. In this connection, I would like to appeal to everyone to do their utmost to ensure that the entire international community makes a concerted effort to provide assistance and relief, in an urgent and effective manner, for all victims of disasters and wars in such a way as to affirm the unity, cooperation and solidarity of mankind in the face of catastrophes and adversities. --More
