Assembly/AU/Decl.1(IV) DECLARATION OF APPRECIATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL We, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, meeting in the Fourth Ordinary Session of our Assembly, warmly congratulate our friend and brother Mr. Kofi Anan, Secretary General of the United Nations for being present at our Summit. We appreciate his leadership of the UN during the last seven years of his tenure and particularly the process of reform of the Organization which he has set in motion. In that context, we take note, with considerable satisfaction, of his appointment of a High Level Panel to consider and make recommendations on Threats, Challenges and Change, facing the United Nations. The report of the Panel, which is now the subject of intense focus throughout the world, including Africa, we believe will make a major contribution to the repositioning of the UN to respond more effectively to the demands of the present time. Africa, which expects much of the UN, is in the process of studying the recommendations in their totality and making its views known to the Secretary General. We renew, yet again, our confidence in the ability of the Secretary General to successfully conclude his tenure of office, and wish him “bon courage”. Done in Abuja, 31 January 2005