Russian President to address UN General Assembly

Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to address the 58th session of the United Nations Organisation's General Assembly, the Kremlin's press service has told RIA Novosti.

The Russian leader confirmed his intention in a message sent to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday, the press service reports.

The need for solidarity of national leaders of the UN, the [world's] only universal organisation, is now vital as never before, President Putin points out in his message. In his estimation, last year "was full of tough challenges to the entire system of international relations". The important thing today is to revive and enhance the international community's unity in sustaining global stability and ensuring the rule of law across the world, he says. Putin sees this as "a key strategic goal" of the UN General Assembly's session, scheduled for September.

Humanity has no option other than collaboration in streamlining collective security mechanisms and searching for a coordinated response to new threats and challenges, Putin argues. He is certain that the UN has a paramount role to play in this process.