Ten years ago I signed the Millennium Declaration (resolution 55/2) here in New York together with other world leaders. We promised to improve the livelihoods of millions of people all over the globe. For the first time world
leaders made concrete commitments to reduce poverty and provide access to…
Sixty years ago, in the fall of 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That international bill of rights contains a forceful reminder that force can and will be checked, and that the prime purpose of our work here is to keep the strong just and the weak secure.
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Two days ago, world leaders met here in this Hall and made strong statements on the urgent need to address climate change. We heard the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Mr. Pachauri, present compelling evidence on the state of the world climate. He outlined a dire picture o…
The United Nations is now more at the centre of international affairs than it has been for many years. We see the Secretary-General and his staff driving diplomacy. They are on the ground, moving forward peace efforts in the Middle East and coordinating and sustaining peace operations in Lebanon. Th…
One of the most haunting challenges of our time is to narrow the gap between the rapidly developing world and those parts which are lagging behind. Billions of people are moving towards a brighter future. But hundreds of millions are not. The challenge is new to present generations. Now we can radic…
I speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries-Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden-and my own country, Norway. The position of the Nordic countries on the question of apartheid has been consistent and is well known. We reject all forms of racial discrimination and segregation, which affront our sense …
