UN General Assembly
2009

Today the international community is striving to meet challenges that the founders of the United Nations could not have envisioned some 65 years ago. At the same time, the founding principles of the United Nations have not changed. The provision of joint security and prosperity and the safeguarding of human rights remain the impetus for United Nations activities as they were 60 years ago. Countries that gather here, big and small, have a common responsibility as members of the United Nations to uphold and cherish the ideals expressed in the United Nations Charter. The global financial and economic crisis is not the only problem today. Terrorism, the proliferation of weapons, energy challenges, climate change and many other issues must be addressed in order to make the goals of the United Nations a reality. Complex challenges require comprehensive responses. It is obvious we cannot benefit from isolationist or egoistic policies. The United Nations must come of age. It must become the visible and credible expression of the globalization of politics. The modern world dictates