Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It was an honour and a privilege for me to Chair Roundtable 3 and now I face the daunting task of presenting to you the summary of varied discussion. I would like to thank those leaders who participated actively in Roundtable 3 in what I hope was an inspiring exchange of views on a broad canvas of issues.

At the more general level, my sense of the roundtable is that the leaders have expressed both enthusiasm and frustration -- enthusiasm on the progress made in some areas, and at the same time frustration with the lack of progress in other areas. I believe that while much remains to be done for a world free from want and fear, the discussion underscored that the steps taken so far are significant in helping to meet the aspirations and concerns of people everywhere. This Summit, after all, is not the proverbial silver bullet, but the launch of a process and the indication of the collective will for change.

Many of the interventions around the table focussed on development. Participants stressed the importance of the Millennium Development Goals. Examples were provided of how the MDGs were systematically used by national institutions to assess and guide public policies in the economic and social fields. Some leaders spoke of the adoption of new targets, for example on domestic violence, and the idea of strengthening the global partnership to implement the MDGs was supported.

Speakers underlined the need for a coherent policy on trade and aid; as well as the need to assess the impact of aid policies, for example procurement rules, on the quality of aid.

Some mutually reinforcing deficits were highlighted as undermining the achievement of MDGs namely, the deficit of resources and limited implementation.

The unique challenges of landlocked and small island developing nations were addressed. Several participants underscored the potential of information and communication technologies to help achieve the MDGs and other development goals; and in light of this, the importance of improving developing countries' access to ICT.

Concerns on the global environment, especially the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States, pointed to the need for tackling diverse problems in a spirit of solidarity.

The increased presence of the United Nations field offices in Small Island Developing States was considered necessary to cover the wide geographic areas in which the islands are spread. Ensuring environmental sustainability, resolute action on climate change beyond the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012 and concrete measures on desertification were all stressed as key global challenges.

The decision by the G8 to cancel debt arrears for some highly indebted poor countries was praised. Yet, participants noted that the quality and effectiveness of aid were equally important, and that ODA should be equally provided to all countries in need. Of concern was the lack of progress in addressing the debt problem of middle-income countries. Participants were also concerned with the issue of conditionality attached to debt cancellation, and the impact this would have on the quality of aid.

In addition, the need for coherence of aid and trade policies was underlined, in order to ensure that ODA, trade and debt relief, when taken together, leads to a net result that is positive for development. The hope was expressed that the G-8 commitment to double aid to Africa by 2010 would be realized.

Efforts made by the African continent to stand as a solid counterpart to its development partners were emphasized. NEPAD was recognized as a "good home made initiative", which deserved strong external support.

The importance of making international trade a real engine for development was emphasized. The early completion of the Doha round of multilateral trade negotiations was considered essential.

Participants welcomed the reference in the Outcome Document to access and benefit sharing in genetic resources, and underlined the importance of global cooperation in developing information and knowledge-based societies as a vehicle to nurture democracy and eradicate poverty.

The link between humanitarian assistance and development was emphasised, and the need for greater international cooperation to establish the context for evolving durable solutions and addressing root causes of crises, abuse and instability highlighted.

Participants welcomed the proposed reform of the UN Human Rights machinery. Some called for the development of a set of criteria against which the human rights record of all countries would be assessed.

Speakers stressed the need for United Nations reform and underlined that this historic opportunity to strengthen the United Nations should not be missed, and that the reform process should be guided by open and extensive consultations. It was also stressed that the interests of developing countries, who account for two-thirds of UN membership, should be safeguarded in this process.

A more representative Security Council was emphasized, including through an increased presence and weight of African countries. A reformed United Nations would give developing countries a sense of ownership in the Organization, making the decisions of its organs easier to implement.

Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite the mixed views we have on the details of the outcome document, it was heartening for me to hear the continued faith expressed in multilateralism, through the United Nations, in order to meet the aspirations of our people.

I hope that the promise of the outcome document will be realized through quick progress on the commitments contained therein. Where further action is needed, the General Assembly should work extra hard to ensure that the contours of the ideas are transformed into firm legislative and operational realities before momentum is lost.

Thank you.