Annan sees new impetus for developing UN ties to regional organizations

There is clearly new impetus for further developing the ties between the United Nations and regional organizations throughout the world, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has told a gathering of Pacific Island states.

“The Pacific Islands Forum is among those good partners, and I am encouraged that our organizations continue to strengthen our relationship,” he said in a message to the group’s 37th gathering in Suva, Fiji, delivered yesterday by UN Resident Coordinator Richard Dictus.

“I hope Governments will undertake the substantially stronger efforts that will be needed, in consultation with civil society, the private sector and other actors, to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” he added.

The MDGs are an ambitious series of targets set by the UN Millennium Summit of 2000, seeking to slash a host of social ills such as extreme poverty, hunger, maternal and infant mortality, and lack of access to education, all by 2015.

“Your meeting offers an opportunity to explore new approaches and proposals,” Mr. Annan declared.