Though she had initially announced her intention to serve a single four-year period , she extended the term by a year following an appeal from Annan , allowing her to preside over the 2001 World Conference against Racism , Racial Discrimination , Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban , South Africa , as Secretary-General . Though she had initially announced her intention to serve a single four-year period , she extended the term by a year following an appeal from Annan , allowing her to preside over the 2001 World Conference against Racism in Durban , South Africa , as Secretary-General .