An hour ahead of the opening of the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary General Kofi Annan rang the Peace Bell in the UN compound as part of the traditional opening ceremony.

At a brief ceremony, Annan said, "For the past 50 years, from the height of the Cold War to the rise of intra-state conflicts, from the spread of the AIDS crisis to the escalation of terrorism, the call of the bell has been constant and clear.

"Today, we listen to the ringing of the bell as solace while we contemplate the tribulations of the past year, and as a source of strength as we prepare to take on the trials ahead."

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It was in 1954 that the bell, cast from coins collected by children from 60 countries around the world, was presented to the world body by the UN Association of Japan. Tuesday September 21 marks the 50th anniversary of that ceremony, a fact Annan noted when he said, "The bell has sent a powerful message around the world about mankind's aspiration for peace."

Moments after the ceremony, Annan welcomed US President George W Bush, who will address the UNGA during the course of the day.

"Hello, Kofi," Bush said, while shaking hands with Annan. The two posed for the mandatory photo-ops before heading off for the session. Bush was accompanied by First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell.