UNITED NATIONS, June 3 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he welcomes the draft of a statement expected to follow a September summit of heads of state and government.
Minutes after the 26-page document was released Friday by President Jean Ping of the U.N. General Assembly, Annan said he was "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."
The secretary-general called it, "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."
He said the draft "captures important points" raised during months of negotiations, "is a valuable guidepost for advancing development, security and human rights."
The summit is slated for Sept. 14-16, on the eve of the U.N. General Assembly's 60th anniversary general debate session.
