Annan calls on rich and poor countries to agree on UN reform

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan called on rich and developing countries to reach agreement on a UN reform plan so as not to paralyse the international body.

In an article in the Financial Times, he said: "It is time for those who really care about reform to come together and form a new coalition - one that bridges the artificial, destructive divide between north and south and brings together all those who are willing to work together because they share the vision of a UN that really works, for the benefit of all the world's peoples."

"Surely governments can agree on how to make these reforms happen without bringing the whole organisation to a halt," Annan wrote.

"The reform blueprint that I put forward last year reminded us all...