For what happens in one country, especially in our increasingly globalised world, will have a direct bearing on the prosperity and security of another. That is why the UN is today more vital than it ever was. It is the only genuinely global institution that brings together all the nations of the world within a single forum. Its inclusiveness gives it a special moral authority on the world stage, and the legitimacy to lead and coordinate international action to deal with peace and security issues. But for the UN to realise its vision, it has to tackle the root causes of conflict, starting often with the poverty and inequities that breeds it.
War remains increasingly a poor man's burden.
Twenty of the world's 38 poorest states are either in the midst of an armed conflict or have only recently emerged from one. The soundest basis for peace to take root and flourish is prosperity. The best way that we can prevent conflict is to promote sustainable development. While globalisation and technology will continue to bring unprecedented prosperity to some countries, they have also marginalised the weak and the less developed. Per capita income differences between countries narrowed from the 1950s to the 1970s.