Seventh-day Adventists will be present as observers at the Millennium Assembly of the United Nations, billed the largest gathering of heads of state in the history of humanity.

The event to be held September 6 to 8 is the 55th session of the U.N.‘s General Assembly, and the Summit “will be a historic opportunity to agree on a process for fundamental review of the role of, and challenges facing the United Nations in the new century,” according to a U.N. press release.

“The occasion of the third millennium presents a timely opportunity for the only global organization, in terms of its membership as much as of its areas of work, to identify the challenges that it will face in the future and to engage in an imaginative exercise to enhance and strengthen a unique institution,” says Kofi Annan, U.N. Secretary-General.

“This event is one which brings great interest from people all over the world,” says Jonathan Gallagher, U.N. liaison director for the Adventist World Church. “It’s important that the church be there and make its own contribution at the highest level of international affairs. As a church, much of our practical work is supported by the U.N. since it involves many areas of great humanitarian benefit such as education, health, personal development, aid and relief work, women’s issues and so on.”

Article 1:3 of the U.N. Charter identifies one of its primary purposes: “To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”