Annan calls for concrete steps on global problems

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday challenged world leaders converging on the United Nations for the Millennium Summit to seize the occasion to renew the UN’s mission and purpose. He also called on them to follow up on their political commitment with concrete steps in tackling extreme poverty, conflict and other crucial global problems, UN News reported. Speaking at a news conference at UN Headquarters, Annan described the 6-8 September summit, billed as the largest ever gathering of heads of state and government, as “a defining moment” for the world’s leaders and the UN. “As the unique forum for global debate, and as the indispensable instrument for global progress, the United Nations must rise to the occasion,” Annan said. “The Summit offers a real chance for the leaders of the world to make the UN a more effective servant of the world’s people.”