On 29 and 30 July, the United Nations and twenty regional organizations from across the world held their fifth high-level meeting at UN Headquarters in New York to discuss the main challenges to international peace and security facing the world today. Participants identified these issues, which include international terrorism, poverty, intra- and inter-state conflicts, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organized crime and violations of human rights. The first meeting, which took place on 1 August 1994 with only half the number of participating organizations, had focused its debate on issues concerning intervention, principles of action and modalities for cooperation.
Chairing the conference, Secretary-General Kofi Annan emphasized in particular the issue of poverty and deprivation and the need for fair terms of agricultural trade in developing countries. He highlighted the fact that traditional threats to international peace and security such as terrorism could not be fought without dealing with poverty. He explained that he was strongly attached to the current round of trade talks, set to conclude at a ministerial meeting in Cancun, Mexico in September, because of the importance of the poverty issue.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Annan emphasized the crucial role of international cooperation in resolving the main challenges to international peace and security. The consensus among the participating organizations was that multilateralism remains a key element in finding solutions to these issues. As Kim Kaksu, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), explained: "These and many other key challenges of our times can be met only by looking beyond the traditional parameters of the nation-State, and by pursuing multilateral engagement and action."
Following the participants' general conclusions highlighting the importance of multilateral cooperation, the Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations particular role as a unique world institution, since it remains "the only organization where all the Governments can come together to discuss issues". It was noted, however, that levels of cooperation needed to be strengthened and, for that reason, further consultation at the working level was essential when dealing with issues affecting international peace and security. Despite the divisions within the United Nations over the 2003 Iraq war, Mr. Annan remained confident that the United Nations continues to play a crucial role in the international system.
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