15 May 2000

Excellency,

I have the honour to refer to my Millennium Report to the General Assembly and, in particular, to my statement that "special facilities would be provided at the Millennium Assembly for Heads of State or Government to add their signatures to any treaty or convention of which the Secretary-General is the depositary"(UN doc. A/54/2000, para. 328). While the Secretariat will ensure that all necessary facilities will be provided for the purpose, I wish to encourage Heads of State or Government or Foreign Ministers or other duly authorised participants to make use of this unique opportunity to express support for and re-dedicate themselves to the international legal framework during the Millennium Summit, which will be held at the United Nations Headquarters on 6-8 September 2000.

It is particularly encouraging to note that there has been a growing participation in the body of treaties most central to the spirit and goals of the Charter of the United Nations. A list of twenty-five core treaties representative of the Organization's key objectives, indicating their present status, is attached. It is my hope that the opportunity presented by the Summit will inspire a renewed enthusiasm for participation in these treaties by more States. I have the honour to invite you to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the treaties in this list, if your State is not already a party to these instruments.

In addition, I am also attaching a list of all multilateral treaties deposited with me to allow for a more general review of your country's participation in this comprehensive legal framework developed by the international community.

I ask you to kindly let me know by 1 August 2000 of your intention to sign, ratify or accede to any of the treaties on the two lists during the Summit so that the necessary arrangements could be made by the Secretariat.

The expansion of the rule of law in international relations has been the foundation of much of the political, social and economic progress achieved in recent years. Undoubtedly, it will facilitate further progress in the new Millennium. As we go forward, I am asking all United Nations entities concerned to provide the necessary technical assistance that will make it possible for every willing State to engage more effectively in the international legal framework. This represents a major challenge to the United Nations and to each Member State. In order to enable the Organization to assist as necessary, I would like to invite you to advise me on any specific areas in which you may need technical or other assistance in order to become party to an international instrument or to give effect to an international instrument at the national level. I would greatly appreciate your advice by 1 August 2000.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.