United Nations, March 21, SPA -- United Nations' Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged world leaders to approve sweeping U.N. reforms to tackle the global threats of the 21st century and prevent corruption. The United Nations clearly wanted to keep the spotlight onthe most extensive reform package to be proposed since theworld body was founded 60 years ago and its proposals totackle war, fight terrorism, combat poverty and put theprotection of human rights at the forefront of its work. Annan's overhaul calls for a realignment of the UnitedNations to give additional weight to key development,security and human rights issues. It also sets out plans tomake the world body more efficient, open, and accountable _including strengthening the independence and authority ofthe U.N.'s internal watchdog. Annan has invited world leaders to a summit in September tohopefully adopt the reform package, and he is planning asix-month campaign to sell the proposals to them. That campaign was to begin Monday when thesecretary-general officially presents the 63-page report onreforms to the U.N. General Assembly. "These are reforms that are within reach _ reforms thatare actionable if we can garner the necessary politicalwill," Annan said in the introduction to the report whichcalled 2005 "a historic opportunity" to create a betterlife for millions of people. He urged the leaders to "act boldly" and adopt "themost far-reaching reforms in the history of the UnitedNations."--SPA1152 Local Time 0852 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/248358