'We must make the most of the opportunities'.

The General Assembly asked me five years ago to review progress on the Millennium Declaration, and had decided to meet to discuss it at summit level here in New York in September. But frankly, I do not think a mere review would have done justice to the present world situation. I feel strongly that there are decisions which urgently need to be taken in the areas of development, security and human rights, and changes that need to be made in the structure of the United Nations itself, if we are to make the most of the opportunities in the next ten years and to save millions of people from death and disaster.

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For instance, if Governments take the decisions that I am suggesting in this report, I believe we will have a much better chance of turning the tide against HIV/AIDS and malaria; a much better chance of containing the spread of new infectious diseases, whether natural or man-made; a much better chance of averting an attack by terrorists using nuclear and radiological weapons; a much better chance of preventing countries like Haiti, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone from sliding back into chaos or crisis; a much better chance of reaching a common understanding on how to deal with recalcitrant regimes like that of Saddam Hussein; and a United Nations that is much better able to take effective action--through a strengthened Security Council and a new and authoritative human rights council, both working closely with regional organizations--to put a stop to major crimes against innocent people, such as those we are witnessing in Darfur.

This report [In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security And Human Rights For All] is the programme of action I have been working towards over the past two years. It is aimed at making sure that the commitments made to fight poverty are really carried out in a way that brings results. It is aimed at healing wounds in the international community left by the Iraq war. And it is aimed at restoring the credibility of the United Nations as a leader in the worldwide struggle for human rights. By publishing it now, I am giving world leaders six months to consider and debate it with their peoples, in the hope that they will come here to New York in September ready to take the necessary decisions.

I am encouraged by recent developments [regarding the call for increased development assistance to 0.7 per cent of gross national income]. About five countries in Europe have already met the target, and many other donors have come up with a timetable to meet that target.... We are really moving in the right direction.... But it is not enough to increase development assistance. It has to be "front-loaded" so that we will be able to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.... Obviously, it is up to each Government and its people to decide how much development assistance they will give. But as Secretary-General, and knowing the problems we face in the world, I continue to encourage and urge all those with capacity to give, and to give generously. I think the peoples of the world would want to help. They showed that throughout the tsunami crisis; nobody had to ask them.

I think the argument that comes through the report is very clear: that we live in an interconnected world, in a world where we face many challenges, many threats--threats that no one country, however powerful, can face alone--and that we need to work together to contain these threats, whether it is terrorism, non-proliferation, or environmental degradation and poverty that leads to failed States. And we also know that ignoring failed States creates problems that sometimes come back to bite us.... The collective effort of all of us working together is in the national interest of individual Member States.

On the question of development of democracy and human rights, we do have a mandate to be able to assist Governments that are trying to strengthen their institutions, improve their democratic practices and reform their human rights structures. We monitor elections where the Governments have asked us.

The proposed reforms are going to require resources. I have indicated that lots of promises have been made and have not been met. But I sense a new spirit--for example in the field of economic development and the willingness of Governments to engage and to do more. Several European Governments have indicated their willingness to increase development assistance, [and] are looking at various options, including substantial resources, probably from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Some are looking at innovative sources of financing.... There is a new mood there, and if we work with them effectively, we may be able to get them to work with us in implementing all the commitments and the promises that have been made.

Excerpts from a press conference by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at United Nations Headquarters on 21 March 2005 as he released his report In Larger Freedom: Towards Development. Security And Human Rights For All