Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General following the meeting of the heads of the Principal Organs of the United Nations

The Heads of the six Principal Organs of the United Nations (General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice and the Secretariat) held their eighth annual meeting in New York on 26 October 2006. The meeting was followed by a luncheon hosted by the Secretary-General. This annual process was initiated by the Secretary-General in 1998 in order to exchange views, facilitate coordination and improve efficiency in the workings of the Organization.

The Secretary-General and the five Presidents discussed recent, important developments in their respective areas, including the situation in Lebanon and the expansion of UNIFIL, reform of the Security Council, progress of the Human Rights Council and the newly established Peacebuilding Commission, as well as measures to expedite and enhance the workings of the International Court of Justice.

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland, briefed the meeting on the United Nations' response to humanitarian crises. Changes in the nature and magnitude of humanitarian challenges required more strategic resourcing, improved capacity to respond to multiple emergencies, closer coordination with non-UN actors and strengthened ability to operationalize resolutions adopted by Member States through activities on the ground. The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), a key reform proposal of the Secretary-General, was a significant development, allowing the Organization to deploy staff, goods and services immediately where needed, while also devoting much needed attention to forgotten crises.