UNITED NATIONS, Jan 20: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Wednesday that "the evil that killed 6 million Jews and others in the Nazi death camps 60 years ago still threatens the world , and the global community must ensure that such horror never occurs again".

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of next week's special session of the General Assembly to commemorate the camps' liberation Mr Annan said "every generation must be on its guard to make sure that such a thing never happens again," he added, stressing the need for succeeding generations to carry forward the work of remembrance death camp survivors dwindle in number.

Next Monday's meeting will have profound significance for the United Nations for several reasons, "first because the founding of this organization was a direct response to the Holocaust," he told a news briefing.

"Second, it is essential for all of us to remember, reflect on and learn from what happened 60 years ago. The evil that destroyed the six million Jews and others in those camps is one that still threatens all of us today. It is not something we can consign to the distant past and forget about it."