LONDON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has wrapped up his London visit and headed to Munich, Germany, where he is to deliver a major speech this weekend.
The secretary-general began Friday with a visit to the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization, the U.N. specialized agency responsible for maritime safety, efficiency of navigation and prevention and control of marine pollution from ships.
"The United Nations is going through a difficult time," he told the staff, adding the independent panel headed by former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker had revealed "serious lapses in accountability, management and transparency."
But, Annan said, "I am determined to learn from these problems."
Before heading to Munich, the secretary-general also met privately with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, discussing The High Level Panel report on threats, challenges and change for the world organization, the problem of child soldiers, the need to limit the flow of small arms and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Annan was to deliver a major address on security policy Sunday in Munich.