The World Summit’s outcome has received a mixed response ranging from enthusiastic to dismissive.

Billed as the largest gathering of heads of State in history, the Summit, which took place at UN headquarters from 14-16 September 2005, resulted in the adoption of an outcome document that addresses issues ranging from terrorism to poverty. The text had been the focus of months of negotiations, with many fearing that no agreement would be reached, particularly after arguments arose over deletions proposed by the U.S. in late August.
A UN press statement asserted that world leaders had pledged to “give new momentum to global development goals and to strengthen the 60-year old world body, so that it can live up to the ideals on which it was founded.” The statement also noted commitments on development, new UN bodies for peacebuilding and human rights, the Millennium Development Goals, and an additional US$50 billion a year to fight poverty. Security Council reform was not approved, however, while UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed “particular disappointment” that references to disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation were not included in the final text.
On environment and sustainable development, some experts seemed pleased with the level of detail and commitments made in text on major issues such as climate change, biodiversity, integrated water resources management, sustainable consumption and production, disaster reduction, forestry, chemicals and hazardous wastes, and oceans and seas. There were also sections on pressing development issues such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other health issues, human settlements, gender equality, financing for development, science and technology for development, and the special needs of Africa, landlocked developing countries, the least developed countries, and small island developing States. According to some, the outcome affirmed the important environment and development goals and will set the agenda for years to come.
However, many experts criticized the final outcome, arguing that it contained almost nothing new, and for the most part repeated earlier agreements. One non-governmental organization called the Summit a “big letdown,” while another called the documents outcome on climate change “empty words…[with] no firm action.”
Numerous other events also took place alongside the Summit (see other reports, below). The Summit was followed by the regular session of the UN General Assembly, which will continue to meet in its 60th session until December.
Links to further information
2005 World Summit Outcome – official document, September 2005
World Leaders Pledge Wide-Ranging Steps on Poverty, Terrorism, Human Rights, UN Reform, UN news release and country statements at the Summit, 16 September 2005
Although World Summit Outcome ‘Disappointing’, UN Reform Efforts Must Continue, General Assembly Told, UN news release, 21 September 2005
UN reforms receive mixed response, BBC news, 17 September 2005
World Leaders Fall Short of Larger Goals in Effort to Fight Poverty, Terrorism at U.N. Summit, ABC news, 17 September 2005
UN World Summit: Empty Words on Climate Change, Friends of the Earth press release, 16 September 2005
NGO Reaction: Aid workers assess U.N. World Summit, AlertNet, September 2005
The Big Letdown: UN Summit shortchanges the poor, CIVICUS, September 2005