The largest ever summit of world leaders will commence today, Wednesday 14th September 2005 in New York, USA. A great hope has arisen for the UN World Summit to tackle many of the world’s biggest problems, and the gathering has been described by the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”.
Two of the focal issues that will be discussed by the world leaders at the summit will be the world’s reaction to tackle terrorism and to eradicate poverty.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is due to address the UN on the need of worldwide unity to tackle religious preachers that incite hate and terrorism among communities. It is believed that Blair will table a resolution requesting that governments around the world join a crackdown against troublemaker clerics.
Since July’s London terrorist bomb attacks the controversy surrounding religious leaders that praise terrorism and give their backing to suicide bombers has increased greatly. Just as was seen in New York after 9/11, UK political leaders have been put under escalating pressure to tighten security and ensure that the spread of hatred is cut off.
The British Ambassador to the UN, Sir Emyr Jones Parry reported to the BBC that he felt dissatisfied that the World Summit had not been able to agree on a universal definition of terrorism.
Sir Parry said, “The text was not as comprehensive as I would have wished. What is clear is that there is an affirmation against terrorism. We have committed ourselves to agreeing the global convention [on terrorism] and we have taken forward the aspect of developing within the UN a counter-terrorism policy
The UN World Summit will last for three days from 14-16 September 2005, and is also billed to be full of debating regarding the issue of world poverty, in addition to a reformation of the UN after 60 years in existence.
However, already prior to the summit commencing formally, many campaigners have already expressed that they predict the outcome may be one of the biggest let-downs on tackling poverty and injustice in the world.
New York will gather leaders from 191 nations, for what is meant to be a stage where open discussion can take place between the world’s most influential people to tackle and solve the world’s major problems. However, sceptics are already saying that many UN promises will be scrapped or watered-down.
