Countries will only overcome the three great challenges of development, security and human rights if they take action together, globally and coordinated through the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a wide-ranging speech to world leaders gathered for the opening of the General Assembly’s annual debate, Tuesday, according to UN News Centre.
In his final address to the Assembly’s general debate before he completes his term at the end of this year, Mr. Annan said the events of the past decade have not resolved, but sharpened the challenges of an unjust world economy, world disorder, and widespread contempt for human rights and the rule of law.
As a result, prevailing divisions threaten the very notion of an international community, upon which this institution stands, he said, adding that this is occurring during a period when the world’s peoples are connected as never before.
Citing examples such as climate change, HIV/AIDS, fair trade, migration and human rights, Mr. Annan said most of the world’s problems have acquired a global dimension that can only be matched by global action, agreed and coordinated through this most universal of institutions.
Kilde: www.un.org
