What we have done in Iraq through reason, diplomacy and political will, we can do all across the United Nations agenda. The world has also just witnessed, in recent months of financial turmoil in Asia, yet another example of accelerating interdependence among nations, economic as well as political. This makes the presence of an effective United Nations, as a unique tool of concerted action, more imperative than ever. In this connection, I was particularly impressed by the dialogue that was initiated recently at Headquarters between the Bretton Woods institutions and the Economic and Social Council. We do this not to please any particular constituency, but because we must be able to better meet the needs of the world's people and of Member States.
Reform is our survival and our future.
Now it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you the first Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Madame Louise Fr chette. The establishment of the office of Deputy Secretary-General is the most direct and perhaps most consequential product of the reforms to date. She will also be responsible for revising and updating our reform agenda as the process evolves. I know you join me in welcoming her to the United Nations and wishing her well in this and the many other challenging tasks she has now assumed.