UNITED NATIONS: The largest gathering of world leaders in history begins on Sept. 14 with 191 UN member nations still divided on the issues. The summit is to map out new approaches to poverty, global security and human rights in the 21st century.
Development: The draft document sets timetables to halve poverty for the poorest of the poor, provide elementary education to all, cut maternal deaths and halve the spread of Aids by 2015, among others. The United States objects to any commitment to increasing foreign aid.
Human rights council: A smaller group of nations to sit year-round on human rights to replace the current Human Rights Commission, a key demand by Western nations.
Non-proliferation: The draft says proliferation and risk that terrorists might obtain unconventional weapons are the greatest threats to peace. Washington and others want to remove references to nuclear disarmament for big powers.
Terrorism: The draft says attacks on civilians and noncombatants ‘cannot be justified’. Islamic nations want a mention of liberation groups and the right to resist foreign occupation.
Peace-building commission: This is aimed at helping nations emerging from conflict. Key Western nations want Security Council control. Developing countries want the commission to report to the General Assembly, where they have a majority, arguing they need a voice in deciding priorities.
Responsibility to protect: The concept, promoted by Canada, other Western nations and human rights groups, calls for various kinds of intervention in a nation in case of genocide and war crimes. African nations such as South Africa support the concept but other developing states say it would provide an excuse for big powers to intervene.
UN management reform: Western nations, including the United States, want to give the UN secretary-general more power to manage, expand monitoring bodies and hire more independent auditors. —Reuters
