UN General Assembly
2011

Much has been said from this rostrum in recent years about global governance. Yet in fact there is a pervasive feeling that chaos is inexorably engulfing our planet. Indeed, one global crisis comes hard on the heels of another. International law is being shamelessly trampled. Inequality and poverty are on the rise, and above all, an ever increasing number of people in the world are exposed to suffering. This is the logical outcome of the world operating without a system and order. Twenty years ago, the international community had its own constitutional moment as a result of the end of an epochal confrontation, an opportunity to elaborate a comprehensive strategy for stable development of the world in the future. We missed that opportunity, first of all because egoism and gloating rather than common sense took the upper hand in the mindset of the so-called winners. The lack of common vision excluded the possibility of our taking effective concerted action. As a result, the international community today is only reacting to ever-rising global challenges, having no