UN General Assembly
2013

attacks, the forcible displacement of millions of people, and hunger and distress, which intensify migration flows and create demographic changes. These are but a few examples that bear out the need to evaluate, through collective debate and self- assessment, whether the United Nations principles, values and methods have indeed contributed to what we have all been hoping for — the maintenance of peace and security and respect for the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all people. I am not a romantic ideologist; quite the contrary, I am a pragmatic realist who acknowledges that in this imperfect world it is extremely difficult, even impossible, to expect the full and unquestioning implementation of United Nations principles and values. However, what is happening today risks overthrowing the current world order, calling into question the relevance and effectiveness of this international Organization. It is not my intention to cast doubt on or minimize the multidimensional contribution of the United Nations to a plethora of cases over the past seven decades. What is important is to enhance the Organization’s role and