UN General Assembly
2014

A year ago, when for the very first time I addressed the Assembly (see A/68/PV.12), I conveyed my deep concern and indignation about acts that we were witnessing that undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, causing regional and global insecurity, such as terrorism, the annexation of territories via illegal use of force, religious fundamentalism and the forcible displacement of millions of peoples. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we have to admit that during the past year we have not adequately risen to meet those challenges. It is even more worrying that their extent and impact has been intensified at the expense of human lives, individual and collective social and economic prosperity and, ultimately, regional and international peace and security. Everything we are witnessing in Libya, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, particularly following the emergence of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and the perpetration of its untold atrocities, should not leave us indifferent or passive. It is our duty towards humankind and our shared values to immediately adopt a more proactive involvement, so as to save future generations from