HEADS OF SIX MAIN UNITED NATIONS BODIES HOLD FOURTH MEETING

The following statement was issued on 1 November by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The heads of the six principal organs of the United Nations (General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice and the Secretariat) held their fourth meeting this afternoon followed by a luncheon hosted by the Secretary-General.  The Secretary-General in 1998 started the practice of holding meetings among the heads of the six principal organs, to exchange views and to coordinate matters with a view to improving efficiency in the workings of the Organization.

The five presidents and the Secretary-General had an informal exchange of views on current international trends from the perspectives of their respective principal organs, including the ongoing reform process of the Organization, which began in 1997.  The Secretary-General further briefed the meeting on the developments in Africa, the Middle East and Iraq, while the Deputy Secretary-General discussed progress achieved in the area of HIV/AIDS.

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