Annan concerned over slow progress in eliminating nuclear weapons

Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has voiced concern over the lack of progress in eliminating weapons of mass destruction.

In a note to the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament, which was released today in New York, the Secretary-General notes the declarations made last year by world leaders at the UN Millennium to strive for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, but says the pace of implementation of the pledges remains "disappointingly slow."

"The Secretary-General is also concerned at the continuing impasse in the Conference on Disarmament and calls upon Member States to enhance their efforts to overcome their divergence of views and reinforce the credibility of the Conference," the Secretary-General's spokesman told the press today.