Annan appoints envoys to help promote reform agenda ahead of UN summit

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appointed four world political leaders to help him promote his reform ideas in the period leading up to a high-level General Assembly summit review of the Millennium Declaration in September.

The envoys will help the Secretary-General promote the bold but achievable agenda put forward last month in his report, "In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all," which outlines an agenda for action to be taken by the international community to meet the challenges of the 21st century, including establishing new rules for the use of military force, adopting an anti-terrorism treaty, and reforming key UN organs and institutions, such as the Security Council and the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights.

To help him promote this comprehensive agenda, the Secretary-General has requested the good offices of four prominent world leaders, whom he has asked to act as his envoys ahead of the summit: Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern of Ireland; Ali Alatas, former Foreign Minister of Indonesia; former President Joaquin Chissano of Mozambique; and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo.

All four have vast political experience, profound knowledge of international relations, are committed to the cause of the United Nations and are expected to travel around the world and engage political leaders, civil society representatives, academics and the media. They will present the broad package of proposals and seek support for decisions that need to be taken by Heads of State and Government at their September summit, which will review implementation of the Millennium Declaration adopted five years ago.

Mr. Annan is scheduled to meet with three of the envoys tomorrow in New York.