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Universal Participation in Multilateral Treaty Framework Needed
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Wednesday sent a letter to all heads of state and government to "use the unique opportunity presented by the forthcoming Millennium Summit to rededicate themselves to the international legal framework and actively contribute to the strengthening of the international rule of law,"a U.N. press release announced.
"In particular, he has encouraged those States which are not already party to the vast body of treaties deposited with him to sign and ratify them," the news release said.
During the three-day Summit, scheduled to begin on September 6 at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, a large number of world leaders are expected to participate in round-table discussions focusing on strengthening the role of the United Nations in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
The challenges include expanding and enhancing the rule of law in international relations. A comprehensive network of international treaties deposited with the U.N. secretary-general affects a wide scope of human activity and has been the foundation of much of the political, social and economic progress achieved since the end of World War II.
In his letter, Annan has identified 25 core treaties, which reflect the key policy goals of the United Nations, to be the focus of a sustained effort to encourage signature and ratification during the Millennium Summit, said the press release. Included among them are a range of human rights conventions, as well as treaties on refugees and stateless persons, international criminal matters, disarmament and the environment. Some of these instruments have been opened for signature for years, but have not been successful in attracting universal participation.
In the letter, Annan also requested every Member State to carry out a general review of all multilateral treaties deposited with him. He invited them to assess the participation by their countries in this vast legal framework developed by the international community under the umbrella of the United Nations. In that connection, Annan has also sent heads of State and government a full list of more than 500 conventions that are deposited with him. Governments are requested to respond by August 1 of their intention to sign, ratify or accede to any of the instruments on both lists during the Millennium Summit, the press release said.
For these States who have not been able to ratify these treaties due to a lack of resources, the Secretary-General has requested all United Nations agencies to provide appropriate technical assistance. The objective is to help States to become parties to these treaties and to implement them at the national level.
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