Envoy on UN reform meets top Myanmar officials

Ali Alatas, Indonesia’s former Foreign Minister and one of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s envoys for United Nations reform, met today with senior officials in Myanmar on ways to help forge a global consensus on development, security, human rights and UN renewal ahead of next month’s World Summit in New York.

Mr. Alatas met in Myanmar’s capital, Yangon, with Foreign Minister U Nyan Win. They discussed the proposals laid out in the General Assembly President’s draft Summit “outcome document,” drawn up after consultations among Member States to incorporate their reactions to proposals for global action on a host of fronts outlined in Mr. Annan’s report “In Larger Freedom.”

During his trip, Mr. Alatas is also expected to meet with Senior General Than Shwe, as well as with members of the National Convention Convening Commission and Government-related social groups.

Mr. Alatas is one of five world leaders helping to promote the Secretary-General’s reform agenda during the run-up to the Summit, scheduled for 14-16 September at UN Headquarters in New York. Mr. Annan has called the three-day event, which also marks the UN’s 60th anniversary, a “once in a generation” opportunity to make the world body more efficient at tackling today’s global problems.