A nation has the right to defend itself, but when it comes to the broader issue of peace and security, the legitimacy rests only with the Security Council.

In fact UN is more of a galaxy of organisations and agencies than one machine.

The United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the States in the world, is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being.

The right to development is the measure of the respect of all other human rights.That should be our aim: a situation in which all individuals are enabled to maximize their potential, and to contribute to the evolution of society as a whole.

The fight against HIV/AIDS requires leadership from all parts of government - and it needs to go right to the top. AIDS is far more than a health crisis. It is a threat to development itself.

We need to think of the future and the planet we are going to leave to our children and their children.

A United Nations that will not stand up for human rights is a United Nations that cannot stand up for itself.