I consider the debate in the framework of Round Table 2 at the Millennium Summit of the United Nations, which I had the honour and pleasure to chair, as one of the most fascinating exchanges of views I have witnessed in my political career. More than 30 world leaders took the floor in that debate. I sensed the intention they all shared to make use of this opportunity to bring forward workable solutions to the challenges and problems facing the world in the coming century. I also wish to thank Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his idea of holding those round tables and thus enabling the world leaders to discuss freely global dilemmas and all matters of concern.

The optimistic conclusion that I draw from the debate is that we approach in the same way the nature of our common challenges, among them, violent conflicts and instabilities, poverty, development gaps, pandemic illnesses and environmental hazards. And what is even more important, we seem to be equally convinced that timely and concerted action to address these challenges is necessary. Of course, we may differ as to the timing and specifics of our responses, but, as reflected in the Millennium Declaration, common denominator is placed highly enough to offer hope and optimism. I cannot say that the round-table discussion provided us with ready-made recipes, or magic formulas, to solve the problems we are all confronted with. The point is, however, that it produced a number of new ideas and approaches made not for the sake of catching the public eye, but for the sake of testing their usefulness through frank examination.

I left the Conference Room with strengthened belief that the agenda for change outlined in the Declaration really corresponds with our peoples' concerns and expectations. Not surprisingly, development and globalization were brought to the centre of our discussion. We were in agreement that, while globalization provided unprecedented opportunities in trade and technological development, its benefits should be more evenly and universally spread. Globalization should become humane and better managed. It has to aim at eliminating development disparities instead of letting them to deepen; it has to address the risks of the new "digital divide", as well as many negative aspects associated with the phenomena, such as drug trafficking, money laundering and transnational crime. A strong plea was made for the reform of the international financial and trading system to make it more equitable.

In my opinion, the round-table discussion made it clear that the world cannot properly manage globalization unless this process is based on strong moral principles and values and, in particular, the principle of solidarity. This, in the first place, is true with regard to Africa. Action for Africa is a top priority. A new partnership for this continent was called for in our round table. It is to be built on both active participation of the Africans themselves and forthcoming attitude on the part of their partners. I was encouraged to see leaders, from the North and the South, recognizing that no effective solutions to African problems would be found without us joining forces to help Africans in overcoming the basic barriers in the development of their countries.

A lot was said on the most pressing challenge of fighting poverty. Among various specific observations, I noted a proposal to elaborate a coordinated United Nations global action plan for poverty eradication. It would include, as priorities, debt relief and increase in the official development assistance. Grave concern was expressed over the accelerating spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other pandemic illnesses. I believe that an appeal made by many participants to launch global programmes aimed at combating these illnesses — with the participation of all stakeholders, including the United Nations, Governments, non-governmental organizations and the pharmaceutical industry — should be given, as a matter of priority, all necessary consideration.

It was clear for many participants in our round table that there was a link between the stable development on the one hand, and effective human rights protection and existence of democratic structures and procedures on the other. It is true with regard to both developed and developing countries. There is also an obvious link between poverty alleviation and environmental protection. We need to bring the environment to the top of our political agenda. Environmental threats remain one of the most urgent challenges to be dealt with by us in the future.

It is worth remembering that, as one of the participants rightly observed, environment considerations can be a driving force in the economy and new, environmentally sound technologies can provide an important vehicle for growth.

Our discussion also touched upon the responsibilities of the United Nations in the maintenance of peace and international security. My fellow-leaders saw as a priority enhancement of peacekeeping operations, together with increased attention to conflict prevention, peacemaking and peace-building. I believe it necessary to take note of a widespread support for the Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, chaired by Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, and its concrete recommendations. The renewed call for the reform of the Security Council, as well as the need expressed by some participants to assess critically the instruments of sanctions, should also be mentioned in the context of the UN obligations in the field of peace and security.

One of the important conclusions that can be drawn from the discussion is that we need the United Nations. Strengthened as it has to be and better adapted to the changing international environment, the Organization can and should play a leading role in managing our joint activities in better addressing all challenges to be faced in the immediate and more distant future.

The idea of giving the world leaders an opportunity to meet in a more informal setting and to discuss freely the issues of their common concern has been excellent. I have an impression that we not only enjoyed participating in the round tables, but also found something very important for all of us, the leaders of our respective nations — the renewed spirit of common responsibility and necessary frankness and, at the same time, of sincere friendship in addressing our peoples concerns and needs.

I left New York encouraged by the success of our endeavour. We should, perhaps, explore the possibilities of using more frequently the round table or similar formats in the UN practice. The heads of State or Government can meet periodically to follow on their Millennium Summit themes and even focus on specific, selected subjects. What, for example, would be wrong with the foreign ministers of our countries engaging themselves in direct discussions while in New York for the annual General Assembly of the United Nations?

The most important task now is undoubtedly to ensure the necessary follow-up to the Millennium Summit. We cannot allow ourselves to lose the momentum provided by the Summit. Implementation of the agreed Declaration should not only generate tasks for the Secretary-General, but, first and foremost, serve as agenda for the Member States' actions. The success of the whole Summit will ultimately depend on the common will of leaders of the Member States and their ability in translating their declarations into concrete steps and results.

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