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April 26, 2005 18:46 PM

U.N. September Summit A Time Of Decision, Says Kofi Annan
KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Member states of the United Nations must be ready to take bold steps towards instituting far-reaching reforms at a summit meeting of the world body in September this year.

In making the call, U.N. Secretary General Kofi A. Annan, said the summit on development, security and human rights must be a time for decision on the proposed reforms for the world body.

"I hope that Governments will come to New York ready to take bold steps, including ways to adapt the United Nations itself," he said in his speech given in conjunction with "Peace Is Possible," a special event organised by the United Nations Association Malaysia (UNAM) and The Prem Rawat Foundation here recently.

His speech was read out by the UNAM President, Tengku Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Rithauddeen, who also officiated the event.

In March this year, Kofi proposed reforms of the international security system and affordable ways to reach the Millennium Development Goals, a blueprint adopted five years ago by world governments to building a better world in the 21st century.

Among his recommendations was a timetable for rich countries to combat poverty in poor nations as well as a resolution on when military interventions could be justified.

Following the September 11 incident and the deep divisions over the war in Iraq, "the world arrived at a fork in the road; a transformed security environment in which the international community could either agree on how best to handle the challenges we face, or else remain at odds, letting history take the decisions for us," he said.

"I have put forward an agenda that I believe is both bold and achievable - one that will provide a focus of discussion and debate in the months leading up to the summit.

"Historic, fundamental progress is possible but it will depend on the will of governments, and the engagement of groups and citizens," Annan said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the "Peace Is Possible" event, featuring an address by international speaker Prem Rawat on the subject of peace, Tengku Rithauddeen said UNAM and the United Nations Development Programme saw Prem Rawat's message as a "true reflection of the hopes, aspirations and ideals of the United Nations whose aim is international peace and security." Prem Rawat is an extraordinary speaker who has addressed over seven million people in over 50 countries over the past 30 years on the subject of peace.

He has spoken at the Italian Parliament, the UN in Bangkok, Harvard University and other institutions all over the world.

He founded the Prem Rawat Foundation, a non-religious, non-political and non-profit organsisation to share his unique perspective of life and peace on earth.

-- BERNAMA