General Assembly president’s draft outcome for 2005 summit is valuable guidepost

for advancing development, security, human rights, Secretary-General says

Following is a statement by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the General Assembly President’s draft outcome for the 2005 summit:

The draft outcome produced by the President of the General Assembly is an important step towards decisive action for halving poverty by 2015, reducing the threat of war, terrorism, and proliferation, and promoting human dignity in every corner of the world.  The document, which captures important points raised by Member States during months of deliberation, is a valuable guidepost for advancing development, security, and human rights.  The world’s leaders will need to move forward on all fronts to ensure an outcome that reflects the needs of all Member States. 

In the coming weeks, under the leadership of the President, Member States will begin the next round of discussions.  Much is at stake, and I am confident that when world leaders meet in New York this coming September, they will agree on the most far-ranging and ambitious reforms of the United Nations in its 60-year history.  I pledge my best efforts to assist the membership and the President in reaching that goal. 

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