"Only through broad and sustained efforts to create a shared future, based upon our common humanity in all its diversity, can globalization be made fully inclusive and equitable", world leaders stated as they unanimously adopted a "United Nations Millennium Declaration" at the conclusion of their Millennium Summit on 8 September 2000.
The 3 day summit held on 6-8 September at New York was the largest-ever gathering of world leaders. The Declaration was the main document of the Summit and it contained a statement of values, principles and objectives for the international agenda for the twenty-first century. It also set deadlines for many collective actions.
In an address delivered at the concluding meeting of the Summit, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan told world leaders that it had sketched out clear directions for adapting the Organization to its role in the new century. “It lies in your power, and therefore is your responsibility, to reach the goals that you have defined”, he declared. "Only you can determine whether the United Nations rises to the challenge. For my part, I hereby re-dedicate myself, as from today, to carrying out your mandate."
The Declaration reaffirmed Member States' faith in the United Nations and its Charter as indispensable for a more peaceful, prosperous and just world. The collective responsibility of the governments of the world to uphold human dignity, equality and equity is recognized, as is the duty of world leaders to all people, and especially children and the most vulnerable.
The leaders declared that the central challenge of today was to ensure that globalization becomes a positive force for all, acknowledging that at present both its benefits and its costs are unequally shared. The Declaration called for global policies and measures, corresponding to the needs of developing countries and economies in transition.
The Summit Declaration cited freedom, equality (of individuals and nations), solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and shared responsibility as six values fundamental to international relations for the twenty-first century.