Let us, above all, be clear that, without a convincing program of debt relief to start the new millennium, our objective of halving world poverty by 2015 will be only a pipe dream.

Globalization is a fact of life. But I believe we have underestimated its fragility.

To build a more healthy, peaceful and equitable world the classrooms of the world have to be full of girls as well as boys.

If we are to make poverty history, we must have the active participation of States, civil society and the private sector, as well as individual volunteers.

The global work of the United Nations is not without reason compared to that of a family - striving for a common goal in concert with all members for a better future.

Sadly, a prize for peace is a rarity in this world. Most nations have monuments or memorials to war, bronze salutations to heroic battles, archways of triumph. But peace has no parade, no pantheon of victory.

To live is to choose.