2005 World Summit

2005 World Summit
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Name	2005 World Summit
Caption	United Nations General Assembly Hall
Date	14–16 September 2005
Location	United Nations Headquarters, New York City
Participants	Heads of state and government of United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, Germany, India, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Australia, Argentina
Chair	Kofi Annan
Result	Outcome document on United Nations reform, endorsement of Responsibility to Protect, agreement on Millennium Development Goals review

Contents

2005 World Summit was a major gathering of heads of state and government at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from 14 to 16 September 2005. Convened during the tenure of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the meeting brought together leaders from member states including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and representatives from regional organizations such as the European Union and the African Union. The Summit aimed to address UN reform, the review of the Millennium Development Goals, and global security challenges in the aftermath of events like the September 11 attacks and conflicts such as the Iraq War.

Background

The Summit followed years of negotiation on United Nations reform initiated after reports like the Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations and the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. Debates involved permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China—and emerging powers such as India, Brazil, South Africa, and Germany. Prior diplomatic efforts included discussions at the G8 summit and meetings of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Commonwealth of Nations. Issues were influenced by global crises including the Darfur conflict, the Lebanese political crisis, and humanitarian disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

The Summit featured plenary sessions in the General Assembly Hall with speeches from leaders including George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac, Vladimir Putin, Hu Jintao, Gerhard Schröder, Ariel Sharon, Angela Merkel, Paul Martin, Junichiro Koizumi, Néstor Kirchner, Thabo Mbeki, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Delegations from multilateral institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the International Criminal Court, and the World Health Organization attended. Panels addressed proposals from reports like the Report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change and initiatives endorsed by the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77. Negotiations over an outcome document involved delegations from Belgium, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and consultations with representatives from Palestine and Israel.

Delegates adopted an "Outcome Document" endorsing elements of United Nations reform, reaffirming commitments to the Millennium Development Goals, and recognizing the principle of Responsibility to Protect as endorsed by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. The Summit agreed to strengthen United Nations peacekeeping capabilities and welcomed proposals from the Report of the Panel on UN Peacekeeping Operations. Measures included support for capacity-building with assistance from the African Union, coordination with the European Union and collaboration with regional organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Organisation of American States. The document addressed counterterrorism in line with resolutions from the UN Security Council and mentioned cooperation with the Interpol and World Customs Organization. Finance and development commitments referenced institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and dialogues with G8 members.

Prominent statements were delivered by leaders including George W. Bush (United States), Tony Blair (United Kingdom), Jacques Chirac (France), Vladimir Putin (Russia), Hu Jintao (China), Angela Merkel (Germany), Dr. Manmohan Singh (India), Lula da Silva (Brazil), Thabo Mbeki (South Africa), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Kofi Annan (Secretary-General), and representatives of the European Commission. Civil society actors such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, Care International, and faith-based delegations including World Council of Churches observed proceedings and issued policy briefs. Statements highlighted crises in Darfur, the need for HIV/AIDS response coordination with UNAIDS, climate concerns raised by Small Island Developing States, and calls for debt relief championed by Jubilee 2000-linked networks.

Critics from NGOs including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, and the Carter Center argued the Outcome Document lacked binding commitments on human rights and failed to resolve Security Council reform disputes involving India, Japan, Germany, and Brazil. Civil society protests referenced precedents such as demonstrations at the World Trade Organization and debates over neocolonialism. Controversy surrounded negotiations on the Responsibility to Protect language and the role of the International Criminal Court, with objections from states like United States and Israel regarding jurisdiction issues. Observers from regional blocs including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League criticized the Summit’s limited progress on Palestinian statehood and peace process mediation.

Post-Summit follow-up involved the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Secretariat, and mandates for panels on peacekeeping and development monitoring. Subsequent meetings included reviews at the UN General Assembly High-level Plenary Meeting, sessions of the Security Council, and coordination with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on financing the Millennium Development Goals. Implementation involved cooperation with regional bodies such as the African Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Organization of American States, and bilateral initiatives by countries including Norway, Sweden, Japan, Canada, Australia, and Germany. Progress reporting was integrated into mechanisms overseen by agencies like UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, and UNAIDS, and informed later international forums including the G20 summit and the UN Climate Change Conference.

Category:United Nations summits