In March 2005 Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for the most sweeping reforms of the UN system in its history and won agreement on many of them at the 14-16 September World Summit at UN headquarters in New York. The 153 heads of state and government agreed to create a number of new institutions to strengthen UN peace and security activities, including:

• Peacebuilding Commission to assist countries transitioning from war to peace
• Human Rights Council of member states and increased support for the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• new Democracy Fund to promote representative governance
• larger and streamlined Central Emergency Revolving Fund to improve humanitarian emergency responses

The leaders also adopted proposals to improve UN management and administrative procedures, including an expanded oversight capacity and more efficient budget, finance and personnel practices. The UN charter will be updated, and existing mandates will be reviewed for relevance.

As the continent with the largest number of member states Africa has been centrally engaged in the reform debate. In an address to the African Union in July, Mr. Annan underscored Africa’s stake in the reform process. In advance of the World Summit, African leaders studied the reform proposals and adopted a common position on the reform process. Africa will play an important role in the years ahead as reform negotiations continue and the UN adapts to meet the challenges of a changing world.