UN General Assembly
2013

development goals in order to complete the process that began in Rio de Janeiro last year. However, it must not be forgotten that only a little more than two years remain to achieve the MDGs. While we can be pleased with the progress made in many areas, there is still a long way to go. As the Spanish economy starts to grow again, we will significantly support these efforts with generous, intelligent and effective investment in development cooperation. My country’s solidarity can also be seen in terms of humanitarian aid, for which Spain is the world’s eighth largest donor. The United Nations is able to respond to humanitarian crises in West Africa and the Sahel faster and more effectively, thanks to the World Food Programme humanitarian aid storage and distribution centre that we built in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Spain has always been a crossroads of cultures, religions and traditions. Ours is an open, pluralistic and tolerant country that respects and integrates the diversity that comes with globalization. The protection