The world has changed enormously since the establishment of the United Nations 70 years ago. It has become a real world body with 193 Member States. The United Nations has established a peacekeeping structure, overseen the development of a strong human rights framework and set up key agencies for de…
Our leaders have just agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals to be fulfilled by 2030. This forward-looking vision of hope makes it clear that sustainable development, peace and security are tightly related.
However, the Arab Spring, which raised so many hopes just a few years ago, has given wa…
First of all allow, me to thank Chile for convening this open debate. We are seeing a period of exceptional instability in the Middle East. The vicious conflict in Syria has become the epicentre, and the intractability of certain conflicts in the region makes it all the more important to look for pl…
Next year we will celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the United
Nations. As we approach that milestone, it is good to reflect on the successes of our Organization: the extensive codification of international law, advances in combating poverty and disease, and fighting human rights abuses. We h…
Once again, we have witnessed outrageous acts of terrorism against innocent people, most recently in Kenya, Iraq and Pakistan. Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families. It is the primary responsibility of all Governments to protect their citizens. A few weeks ago, the world witnessed th…
