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Heads of UN organs discuss pressing international trends and hotspots

Heads of UN organs discuss pressing international trends and hotspots

The heads of all six principal organs of the United Nations - the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Secretariat - have discussed pressing global issues and hotspots at their fourth annual meeting.

The heads of all six principal organs of the United Nations - the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Secretariat - have discussed pressing global issues and hotspots at their fourth annual meeting.

The five Presidents and Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who heads the Secretariat, had an informal exchange of views on current international trends from the perspectives of their respective principal organs, including the on-going reform process of the UN, a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement following Friday's meeting.

"The Secretary-General further briefed the meeting on developments in Africa, the Middle East and Iraq," the spokesman noted. Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette discussed progress achieved in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Meetings among the heads of the six principal organs have been held since 1998, when Mr. Annan initiated the practice to foster an exchange of views and coordinate matters with a view to improving the UN's efficiency.

The Secretary-General "felt it would help the integration of the system as a whole if all heads of the permanent organs met once a year to just compare notes," spokesman Fred Eckhard said today in response to questions.