UN General Assembly
2001

The time has come for a unified effort by political leaders, as well as by civil society and the private sector, to reverse the trend of marginalization and underdevelopment. That is why the International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in Mexico next year, offers an unprecedented opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people throughout the developing world. The outcome of the Conference should focus on the great challenge of poverty eradication, as well as on how responsibilities between the developed and developing countries should be shared. We should, however, never lose sight of each State’s primary responsibility for its own development. The importance of responsible national governance and respect for human rights cannot be overstated. My focus, like that of many speakers before me, has been on the fight against international terrorism. Fighting international terrorism involves all States and international as well as regional organizations. We 22 must concentrate on the available instruments of each organization and find ways to adjust them as necessary. Furthermore, we need to ensure consistency and