Our world is one of terrible contradictions. Plenty of food, but one billion people go hungry. Lavish lifestyles for a few, but poverty for too many others. Huge advances in medicine while mothers die every day in childbirth, and children die every day from drinking dirty water. Billions spent on weapons to kill people instead of keeping them safe.

This is the moral challenge of our generation. Not only are the eyes of the world upon us. More important, succeeding generations depend on us. We cannot rob our children of their future.

As many micro-credit schemes across the world can testify, investment in women is the best investment for the future.

Terrorism is a significant threat to peace and security, prosperity and people.

I strongly reject threats by any member state to destroy another or outrageous attempts to deny historical facts such as the Holocaust.

Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance.

The future of any leader or political systems is to be determined by the people of the country.