Quote — UNquote : Just One Thought

We are here as world leaders. And now is the time and today is the day for a new beginning to give renewed impetus to peace, cooperation, development, security and stability in the world.
—Sam Nujoma, Co-President of the Millennium Summit

Let us feel the humility and a sense of history of this moment. Let us turn this into an event which will make a difference. Let us also use to the fullest the opportunity to meet together and bilaterally, and to reach a meeting of minds.
—Tarja Halonen, Co-President of the Millennium Summit

In the past decade, more effort was rendered for the expansion of global markets than poverty reduction, human rights and environmental protection.
—Burhanuddin Rabbani, President of Afghanistan

In the process of rapid globalization, I think that some fundamental “pillars” should be conceived, like the strengthening of the “ideology” of peace, freedom and human rights, as the “philosophy” of this century.
—Rexhep Meidani, President of Albania

To proclaim the year 2001 the United Nations Year for the dialogue between civilizations is particularly well-timed. It occurs at a time when we wonder about the development levels and, furthermore, within the reductive context of globalization.
—Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria

In the second half of the twentieth century, Andorra was host to immigration which multiplied its population by more than eight times. And all of us who live there try to make tolerance and respect for diversity more than just a word. We must learn to welcome the diversity of humans and of nations.
—Marc Forné Molné, Chief of Government of Andorra

In a global context, Africa is the poorest of all continents. Its development should be financed by a global assistance fund that will link economic reform to poverty eradication.
—João Bernardo de Miranda, Minister for External Relations of Angola

We will insist that global policies and measures be devised with the effective participation of developing countries to meet their needs.
—Lester B. Bird, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

Such measures as emergency assistance, demobilization, mine-clearance and social reconciliation will be insufficient without the implementation of long-term development policies.
—Fernando de la Rúa, President of Argentina

The existing potential of the United Nations for the prevention of new conflicts is not fully utilized. The promotion of comprehensive mechanisms of early warning of potential conflicts has become a requirement. Wars do not erupt unexpectedly, they have their histories, their logic and are subject to prediction.
—Robert S. Kocharian, President of Armenia

In Australia, it is said that all men and women, and by extension all nations, are entitled to a “fair go”. But the concept of a “fair go” requires not merely passive observance of others’ efforts, but active assistance in their endeavours.
—John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia

One of the most significant achievements of the recent past has been the increasing democratization of global affairs.
—Thomas Klestil, Federal President of Austria

External threats and internal problems, pressures and involvement in the struggle for spheres of influence, do not allow young and fragile democracies an opportunity to freely carry out the policy that would meet interests and expectations of their people.
—Heydar Alirza ogly Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan

The concept of globalization was brought sharply into focus when small States such as the Bahamas attempted to take advantage of the benefits of globalization by developing financial services sectors, only to encounter recently serious challenges from developed countries.
—Sir Orville Turnquest, Governor-General of the Bahamas

Our gathering should be an opportunity to identify the future priorities of the new century, and in particular the issues of maintaining international peace and security, the achievement of peaceful and amicable solutions to all regional and international conflicts.
—Shaikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain

If peace is a shared responsibility, so is development. We have taken innovative approaches towards poverty eradication, putting the people at the centre stage.
—Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Barbados has a perspective on multilateralism that is inherently positive. We know it as offering the opportunity for collaborative decision-making based on shared information and we believe in its precepts of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
—Billie Miller, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Barbados

The intention to make the world a safer place was the main motive behind our decision to renounce the status of a nuclear State.
—Alyaksandr Lukashenka, President of Belarus

The uncontrolled propagation of AIDS is reinforced by poverty, ignorance, dogmatism, social exclusion, non-recognition of the rights of women and the refusal of a number of people in charge to confront reality.
—Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium

Transnational and multilateral organizations control our lives; they are the agencies of what we may call real, existing world government. That government is powerful, it rules the entire world; but it is not democratic, it is not just and it is not accountable.
—Said W. Musa, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Finance of Belize

The United Nations should base its actions on collective responsibility and solidarity between Governments, civil society and the private sector. It is vital to increase such efforts at the national, regional and international levels.
—Antoine Kolawole A. Idji, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Benin

Alleviation of material poverty and spiritual hunger that undermine human dignity and value of human life remains a great challenge for all our Governments.
—Yeshey Zimba, Head of Government and Finance Minister of Bhutan

It is indispensable that a differentiated preferential treatment be applied and that special support be given so that countries with weak institutional structures may go forward.
—Hugo Banzer Suárez, President of Bolivia

Our integration in the Euro-Atlantic institutions ensures a stable future of our overall region as well. This process of integration is the source of our hopes. It enhances the necessary evolution and encourages the vision of a common future of our peoples.
—Alija Izetbegovic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

I stand before you to claim the dubious distinction of being leader of the country most seriously affected by HIV/AIDS in the whole world. We cannot deal on our own with the whole spectrum of requisites for education and sensitization, testing and counselling, adolescent reproductive health, prevention of mother-to-child transmissions, acquisition of retroviral drugs and medication, and care for the affected populations.
—Festus G. Mogae, President of Botswana

Extreme poverty is an affront to humanity. Poverty eradication, access to education, the supply of basic health services and sustainable development require a concerted effort on the part of the entire international community
. —Marco Antonio de Oliveira Maciel, Vice-President of Brazil

In the 21st century, the United Nations role is crucial as the conscience of the world to balance the interests of the successful and the less successful nations in the new economies of globalization.
—Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam

Guaranteeing and respecting the individual’s human rights and basic freedoms is a cornerstone in the development of the democratic civil society.
—Petar Stoyanov, President of Bulgaria

We will better serve the cause of peace by reforming the Security Council.
—Michel Kafando, Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso

The accord signed on 20 August in Arusha marks a leap forward for Burundi. However, not everything has been resolved and there are still challenges to be met. The greatest challenge is to end the war.
—Séverin Ntahomvukiye, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burundi

Special care should be taken to design policies and establish favourable environment to promote increased flows of investment, technology and new knowledge to developing countries in particular LDCs.
—Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia

If globalization is not accompanied by a new moral order, peace, which is so cherished in our time, will be put in jeopardy. Ethics constitutes an essential expectation of the entire human community.
—Paul Biya, President of Cameroon

We must work harder to deny the agents of violence and conflict their sources of supply: by halting the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and by controlling the illicit trade in diamonds.
—Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada

A sense of justice must prevail on the planet. Asymmetries and disparities must be overcome, and the advanced States must show solidarity with the developing countries. This concerns primarily the official aid for development and debt alleviation.
—Antonio Mascarenhas Monteiro, President of Cape Verde

We hope that on the threshold of the third millennium, the outcome of the Third Conference on Least Developed Countries will be commensurate with the challenges faced.
—Marcel Metefara, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Central African Republic

It has been unanimously accepted that democracy and poverty do not live well together. The many conflicts now rending Africa are unacceptable. Chad appeals to all belligerents to pull themselves together and recall
the countless women and children who suffer every day because of the violence. —Nagoum Yamassoum, Prime Minister of Chad

Globalization will not have a human face if we do not establish global norms and institutions to regulate it in the different areas: financial, technological, legal, environmental, trade and so on.
—Ricardo Lagos Escobar, President of Chile Dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights must be conducted on the basis of respect for State sovereignty. This is the fundamental and most effective way to protect and promote human rights. —Jiang Zemin, President of China

In sum, we need a new architecture for the international financial system, which will help to secure stability and provide assistance and support for countries which are undergoing a process of adjustment.
—Andrés Pastrana Arango, President of Colombia

The United Nations must listen intently to every inhabitant of the global village and, while doing so, act completely and comprehensively.
—Colonel Azali Assoumani, President of the Comoros

It is time to save the Democratic Republic of the Congo and see that the Great Lakes region and Central Africa are given what they need so that a comprehensive peace can emerge.
—Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of the Congo

My country abolished its army over half a century ago in order to invest in education and health. Even so, by itself, my country cannot do more to redirect the millions of dollars that are spent in weapons and armies worldwide to human development.
—Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría, President of Costa Rica

The United Nations must cease to be a purely administrative institution, and become a centre of morality and justice for the family of nations.
—Charles Providence Gomis, Minister for External Relations of Côte d’Ivoire

It is true that the third world war has been avoided, but local wars and terrorism have remained the sinister companions of twentieth-century man.
—Stjepan Mesic, President of Croatia

There is not even discussion about a radical reform of this old institution to turn it into a true representative body of the interests of all the peoples on Earth—an institution where no one would have the irritating and anti-democratic right of veto, and where a transparent process could be undertaken to expand membership and representation in the Security Council.
—Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and Ministers of Cuba

While one often sees the tendency of pursuing a “pragmatic” approach for the settlement of disputes, nevertheless, it is our firm belief that the United Nations should always act based on the solid foundation of the principles of its Charter.
—Glafcos Clerides, President of Cyprus

Somewhere in the primeval foundations of all the world’s religions we find, basically, the same set of underlying moral imperatives. It is in this set of thoughts that we should look for the source, the energy and the ethos for global renewal of a truly responsible attitude towards our Earth and all its inhabitants, as well as towards future generations.
—Václav Havel, President of the Czech Republic

Debt, aid or trade are not separate issues. Improving one and cutting back on another is meaningless.
—Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark

At the present level of $10 million annually, official aid for development is not fulfilling its goals and is perpetuating dependence on foreign aid. It is necessary to create a more balanced international system to ensure progress.
—Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti

For without economic security, the stability and good governance to which we all aspire will be unattainable.
—Roosevelt Douglas, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Dominica

What we need are effective State institutions, transparent management of public affairs, respect for human rights, universal participation in decision-making on issues of universal concern, and the creation of a sound physical infrastructure.
—Hipólito Mejía Domínguez, President of the Dominican Republic

Emphasis must be placed on financing for development. Effective assistance must be assured through the resources of international institutions.
—Gustavo Noboa Bejarano, President of Ecuador

A stable and efficacious system should be established for collective security and issues related to disarmament, primarily weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons.
—Amre Moussa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt

It is intolerable that the developed countries are telling others that they cannot sell their fruit on their markets. The only sustainable link among us is openness. Through what we produce we generate resources to combat poverty.
—Francisco Guillermo Flores Peréz, President of El Salvador

To be effective, the Organization must democratize itself. Otherwise, it will find it difficult to act with justice and equity in carrying out its role.
—Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea

Multifaceted support from our development partners will be vital in overcoming these challenges. But these injections will not guarantee sustainable development unless they are accompanied by our own vigorous efforts.
—Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea

What is crucial is that Member States commit themselves to good governance and open markets. Without a commitment to these two elements, no amount of aid and no amount of debt relief will achieve this aim we all have to strive for: the eradication of poverty and making the world a more equal place.
—Mart Laar, Prime Minister of Estonia

As family is the bedrock of social and political institutions, it behooves therefore in each of us here to ensure the UN remains intact, stronger and robust.
—Amraiya Naidu, Permanent Representative of Fiji

Human-centred sustainable development is the best means of long-term crisis prevention. It addresses the structural causes of conflict and thus builds a solid foundation for lasting peace.
—Tarja Halonen, President of Finland

We must let the United Nations adapt to today’s world, by modernizing the methods of the General Assembly, by supporting the reforms undertaken by our Secretary-General, by making the best use of the information revolution, by providing the necessary resources.
—Jacques Chirac, President of France

The fight against AIDS requires better international cooperation and deeper research, as well as improved access to care.
—El Hadj Omar Bongo, President of Gabon

Compounded by the scourges of social and political upheavals, epidemics, underdevelopment, the excruciating debt burden, Africa’s economic recovery and social development continue to be seriously compromised.
—Col. (Rtd.) Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, President of the Gambia

It is commonly known that as debts accumulate, the number of those suffering from hunger and sickness the world over grows in geometric progression.
—Eduard A. Shevardnadze, President of Georgia

The United Nations will only be able to successfully tackle these diverse challenges if it uses its instruments and financial resources efficiently and sets itself priorities.
—Gerhard Schroeder, Federal Chancellor of Germany

Education, particularly access to good quality basic education, provides the basis for the building of tolerant, socially stable communities. Our efforts to strengthen education must necessarily include the education and empowerment of women, with emphasis on the girl child.
—Flt.-Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, President of Ghana

It would be unimaginable and unreasonable for us to waste such a comprehensive system and not to make full use of its precious services in securing peace and amicable relations and fighting all deficiencies of the world order.
—Costas Simitis, Prime Minister of Greece

Debt forgiveness will go a long way to bring relief to poor countries.
—Keith C. Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada

We have learned much from war. We learned that dialogue is more powerful than arms. We learned that respect is the greatest impediment to confrontation.
—Alfonso Portillo Cabrera, President of Guatemala

All countries, including African ones, need to be equitably represented in the Security Council. Sufficient resources should be given to the Organization for it to be able to intervene in the fight against poverty and carry out other life-saving missions.
—Lamine Sidimé, Prime Minister of Guinea

Efforts aimed at the establishment of peace and stability cannot be disassociated from the efforts toward the economic and social development of the less fortunate.
—Iaia Djaló, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau

On my return to Guyana, my people will be sure to ask of me: What good has this Summit brought us?
—Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana

The need to guarantee dignified living conditions for all people is of utmost importance.
—René Préval, President of Haiti

The first duty of the United Nations is to preserve and promote peace throughout the world. This was the essential aim of the founders of the Organization and it remains an imperative today.
—Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State, the Holy See

Peace is the honest effort to shorten the distance between those who have the least and those who have the most, to reduce the chasm of inequalities and contrasts that separates peoples and countries, and to raise social and economic justice among peoples of all nations to the level of a universal requirement.
—Carlos Roberto Flores Facussé, President of Honduras

I hope and pray that international protection of the rights of minorities, including the relevant responsibilities as well as the accountability of the States concerned, will also be drawn up in a legally binding comprehensive instrument.
—Ferenc Mádl, President of Hungary

Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol should be arranged so as to encourage the location of power-intensive industries as far as possible in places where clean, renewable energy resources are found, so that total emissions can be kept to a minimum.
—David Oddsson, Prime Minister of Iceland

Of the many other threats to peace, democracy and development, none has become as dangerous as international terrorism, with its links to religious extremism, drug trafficking and the commerce in illicit arms.
—Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India

International solidarity has become an imperative; in its absence, we might not survive this millennium.
—K. H. Abdurrahman Wahid, President of Indonesia

The United Nations needs to exhibit its authority and effectiveness by ensuring the utilization of globalization as a positive force for all humanity, by safeguarding sovereignty of nations in the face of adverse implications of the process, and by promoting mutual recognition and respect among cultures, civilizations and spiritual traditions.
—Seyed Mohammad Khatami, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

It is not enough to only admit that sanctions are inactive tools that lead to counter-productive results and to dubiously call for directing them in a better way; rather, their use should be restricted and they should not trespass the scope of the UN Charter.
—Tariq Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq

If we urge policy coherence and precise targets on the UN, we must be individually prepared to adopt the same disciplines.
—Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland

More than ever, the borders of faith and culture have receded, showing us just how close we are in our hopes and fears, how little time each of us has on this planet, and how much we have yet to repair and heal.
—Ehud Barak, Prime Minister of Israel

We need a new compact between the affluent world and the world of the poorer, and agree on a common strategy.
—Giuliano Amato, Prime Minister of Italy

The poor have neither the time nor the interest to discuss the theories of economic globalization.
—Percival James Patterson, Prime Minsiter of Jamaica

We are faced with various problems that threaten the existence and dignity of each and every person. We must deal with these problems from the standpoint of the importance of each individual. This is the concept of “human security”.
—Yoshiro Mori, Prime Minister of Japan

In an increasingly smaller village, we must shun conflict and rivalry. We should instead strive to achieve the greater expectations that this day and age entail: those of prosperity, liberty and freedom.
—King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein of Jordan

Active involvement of regional security systems in the processes of maintaining stability and security could help take the edge off the problem of humanitarian intervention. Many conflicts can be resolved without gross interference into the internal affairs of sovereign States.
—Nursultan A. Nazarbaev, President of Kazakhstan

A lack of foreign investment, as we know, means fewer jobs across the continent and a weakening in the battle to combat poverty.
—Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, President of Kenya

I join other small island States in pleading for the cause of the endangered peoples and to urge all concerned to save this planet from any further damage.
—Teburoro Tito, President of Kiribati

We must reaffirm out commitment to the rejection of any form of human slavery or denial of human rights, irrespective of the excuses or circumstances cited to justify that by any political system or regime, even if that violation was committed by the Government in that individual’s own homeland. —Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Terrorism has ceased to be a problem of any one State but represents a threat to the whole global community.
—Muratbek S. Imanaliev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic

The United Nations Millennium Declaration foresees a visionary solution to the urgent and complex issue of poverty eradication. It appeals to the developed or more fortunate countries to grant free access to their markets for goods produced in poor countries and provide more generous development assistance, particularly to those countries which are applying their resources to poverty reduction.
—Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

It is one thing to oppose conditionality, but there should be no objections to stricter accountability and tighter follow-up requirements, thus ensuring that any aid received is well and truly spent on the purposes it has been destined for.
—Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia

We equally view the necessity to reform the Economic and Social Council by re-evaluating and revising its role and its mandate, in a manner that both the Security Council and ECOSOC could function in a harmonious system.
—Sélim Tadmoury, Permament Representative of Lebanon

The defining question of the twenty-first century will be how to close the present gap in development between the developed and the developing countries.
—Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho

Shall we be optimistic at the new wave of humanism characterized by a global coalition for the protection of human rights? Optimism must be based upon sincerity.
—Monie R. Captan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia

The fundamental pillar upon which we should found the world of the next millennium must be the achievement of equality for all human beings, the prevention of all forms of discrimination, and the consideration of man as the most valuable and most appreciated “unit” on earth.
—Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalghem, Secretary of the General People’s Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

The challenges of globalization also make addressing issues such as the enhanced inclusion, participation and accountability of non-state actors a necessity.
—Mario Frick, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein

We cannot anticipate that the process of renewal of the United Nations and the increasing role of the Organization will proceed on an easy and fast track. There might be a lot of disappointment. The most important fact, however, is that the process is continuous.
—Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania

With the Brahimi report, the Organization has embarked on a process of reflection on how it tackles conflicts. What is needed now is greater imagination and perseverance.
—Lydie Polfer, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg

I believe that the international community has a moral obligation and responsibility to ensure that cheaper drugs are available to our poor countries through grants and not loans.
—Bakili Muluzi, President of Malawi

The United Nations cannot champion democracy and good governance in the domestic politics of its members while ignoring these very same principles in its own operation.
—Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia

When the UN meets to vote in another century, will Maldives and other low-lying island nations be represented here?
—Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of Maldives

The fight against poverty should be carried out taking into account the unique features of each country.
—Alpha Oumar Konaré, President of Mali

The root of this change in the world’s own self-image clearly stems from a desire to distance ourselves from the “siege” mentality, out of which this Organization was inevitably born, and to begin the new millennium aware that we—the whole of humanity—are embarked on the same voyage, on the same ship and with very similar, if not precisely the same, goals.
—Edward Fenech Adami, Prime Minister of Malta

As it is with other small island countries, the Marshall Islands needs to have its feet rooted on land—dry land—that is.
—Kessai H. Note, President of the Marshall Islands

It is necessary to increase the number of permanent members of the Security Council by admitting both developing and industrialized countries, in conformity with the principles of democracy, transparency and justice.
—Cheikh El Avia Ould Mohamed Khouna, Prime Minister of Mauritania

Reform of the Security Council is long overdue as, in its present form, it can hardly be regarded as a democratic and representative body of the collective membership of the United Nations.
—Anund Priyay Neewoor, Permanent Representative of Mauritius

Inequality, both among and within nations, has deepened, for while some are participating in globalization, others are not or cannot, due to lack of political and economic freedom. Others, even enjoying democracy, cannot participate, as the lack of education, health and nutrition prevents them from exercising their freedoms.
—Ernesto Zedillo, President of Mexico

The time has come to recognize that other components of the United Nations agenda are as central to the achievement of long-term security as controlling military aggression when it arises.
—Leo A. Falcam, President of the Federated States of Micronesia

It will be essential for the United Nations, in the process of globalization, to respect cultural diversity.
—Crown Prince Albert of Monaco

Countries in a disadvantaged location, facing specific difficulties and serious constraints in their development efforts, need closer attention and support on the part of the international community.
—Natsagiin Bagabandi, President of Mongolia

A planetary patriotism should now be fostered among the world’s people, prompting recognition of the need for an immediate development strategy for the African continent.
—Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco

We believe that unconditional debt cancellation could enable us to redirect resources to poverty eradication, including the improvement of social sectors and rehabilitation of basic infrastructures.
—Joaquim Alberto Chissano, President of Mozambique

The industrial revolution resulted in the colonization of the peoples of the developing countries. We must make doubly sure that the information technology revolution does not bring along with it a new form of colonialism.
—Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar

We are here because we believe in the United Nations, in its Charter, and in the common objectives and principles for which our indispensable Organization stand.
—Sam Nujoma, President of Namibia

Together with our brothers and sisters of the Pacific, the people of Nauru are threatened with genocide through global warming and the rise in sea level.
—Bernard Dowiyogo, President of Nauru

The least developed countries have remained, for too long, in the shadow of world attention. The development partners must help them, both with adequate resources to remove their development constraints and with duty-free and quota-free access for their exports.
—Girija Prasad Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal

Not only do we need agreement on the core functions of the United Nations. Such agreement also requires a realistic assessment of its ability to perform them.
—Wim Kok, Prime Minister of the Netherlands

Now our goal, working with our partners in the New Agenda grouping, is nothing less than the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
—Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand

Another major challenge we must energetically address is that of the conservation and sound use of natural resources, parallel to environmental protection at the local, regional and global levels.
—Arnoldo Alemán Lacayo, President of Nicaragua

It is easy to see that the social sectors most affected are those of education, health, drinking water and hygiene. The most vulnerable groups are women and children.
—Sabo Nassirou, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration of the Niger

We now have HIV/AIDS, which continue to defy control, and have now combined with malaria, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases to form a lethal nexus with as much potential for devastation as war itself, and thus a modern day threat to world peace and security.
—Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria

We shall never be able to cooperate effectively on how to husband the scarce resources of our planet, how to prevent the degradation of the environment, as long as so many are trapped in hopeless poverty.
—King Harald V of Norway

The importance of this summit lies in our ability to adopt a work plan that can formulate a new concept of economy and development for all nations, based upon their experiences and successes.
—Sayyid Faisal bin Ali bin Faisal Al-Said, Minister of National Heritage and Culture of Oman

The best assurance for the consolidation of global peace lies in the economic development and prosperity of all regions and all peoples.
—General Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive of Pakistan

For there to be a realizable advance in our collective effort in combating climate change, the industrialized countries are called once again to commit themselves to verifiable emission limitation and reduction targets called for in the Kyoto Protocol.
—Hersey Kyota, Ambassador of Palau to the United States

May this Summit prove to be a new begin-ning for all the peoples of the Middle East, so that a just and comprehensive peace may reign there. May it be a beacon of hope for the region, and especially for its children and coming generations.
—Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian National Authority

Leniency cannot be extended to the aggressors and genocidal killers of our time. We must also design a comprehensive programme, which can effectively prevent conflict and which involves regional organizations in its implementation.
—Arturo U. Vallarino, First Vice-President of Panama

Not all governments have accepted the Kyoto Protocol’s emission targets, and not all will meet the agreed targets. The UN has to orchestrate further efforts with greater urgency and seriousness.
—Sir Mekere Morauta, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

We must focus on preparing a model for society in which political stability and economic growth leave no room for social exclusion and inequality.
—Julio César Franco, Vice-President of Paraguay

The most important outcome of the Summit will be a continuing consideration of means by which to secure the economic resources to reduce extreme poverty. One avenue is to use for this purpose the accounts and properties seized from drug traffickers.
—Alberto Fujimori Fujimori, President of Peru

The world remains a violent place, and the multiplication and diversity of the theatres of battle have made the search for global peace much more complex than before.
—Joseph Ejercito Estrada, President of the Philippines

What the world needs today is a synthesis of the strengths, which the free market has undoubtedly demonstrated, combined with realistic and people-oriented solutions which have to be introduced into political practice.
—Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of Poland

An international agenda must be taken up to mobilize the energies of societies and institutions to combat infectious diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria … and to prevent “info-exclusion” that threatens the new knowledge-based economy.
—António Guterres, Prime Minister of Portugal

The objective condition for bringing nations closer together lies in establishing a comprehensive educational plan, based on eliminating alphabetical illiteracy, promulgating compulsory education and providing opportunities for harnessing information technology in the service of the goals of development.
—Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar

The miracle of the new millennium unfolding on the Korean peninsula will become a great achievement for history. In the most earnest terms, I ask for your abiding attention and support.
—Kim Dae-jung, President of the Republic of Korea

It is necessary to adopt and to implement with strictness the guarantee measures of the nuclear security system in order to decrease the number of the more and more sophisticated arsenals.
—Petru Lucinschi, President of the Republic of Moldova

As acting President of the Conference on New and Restored Democracies, Romania has made a proposal to develop a common code of conduct for protection of minorities.
—Emil Constantinescu, President of Romania

In spring of 2001, we shall celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first flight of man to the outer space. We suggest to organize on that date an international conference on prevention of outer space militarization.
—Vladimir V. Putin, President of the Russian Federation

Equally difficult challenges lie in the post-crisis phases, particularly in terms of economic and social reconstruction processes, to permit sustainable development, thus preventing further cycles of violence.
—Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda

The United Nations should help to identify not only areas for technology transfer, but more importantly the transfer of relevant and appropriate technology.
—Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis

We must consider and commit ourselves to new approaches to eradicating the scourge of drug trafficking and addiction, otherwise we will not only lose our young people but communities and, in time, Governments.
—Kenny D. Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia

The challenges of the twenty-first century lie in the battles against poverty and the HIV virus.
—Sir James Fitz-Allen Mitchell, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

For Samoa and other small island States, no other phenomenon is more threatening in its consequences and risks than climate change.
—Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Permanent Representative of Samoa

At the beginning of this new millennium, fighting poverty and indigence, afflicting a huge number of men and women, is a moral imperative and demands stronger commitment on the part of the international community.
—Maria Domenica Michelotti, Captain Regent of San Marino

War is one of the scourges that has caused the greatest harm in Africa. It is urgent that action be taken to ensure the effective control of the sale and circulation of weapons.
—Miguel dos Anjos da Cunha Lisboa Trovoada, President of Sao Tome and Principe

Controls and standards should be set up to help make progress in all areas of eliminating weapons of mass destruction.
—Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia

The drain of debt is a recurring disease that would always come back if its causes are not eradicated. The world has to cease being a world “where paternalist creditors face shivering debtors”.
—Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal

Next year’s UN International Conference on Financing and Development will be a test-case of international solidarity.
—Claude Morel, Permanent Representative of Seychelles

What use are computers and satellite phones without a source of adequate power supply to run them?
—Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, President of Sierra Leone

The United Nations should provide the leadership within the community of multilateral organizations to help the poorer nations develop the capacity to profit from globalization and the knowledge revolution.
—Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister of Singapore

Global developments reiterate the universal validity of the need to respect human rights and personal freedoms of individuals as basic prerequisites to the freedom of nations.
—Mikulas Dzurinda, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic

It is imperative to elaborate a doctrine for humanitarian intervention, which will be based on modern interpretation of the UN Charter and in line with new international relations and norms, which in certain conditions give priority to the protection of human rights.
—Milan Kucan, President of Slovenia

The need for intellectual capacity to harness the opportunities of the information age is a key pre-requisite for closing the digital divide.
—Jeremiah Manele, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of Solomon Islands

A democratic Somalia, which is at peace with itself and its neighbours, will be a strong and productive member of the United Nations.
—Abdikassim Salad Hassan, President of Somalia

Our collective rhetoric conveys promise. The offence is that our actions communicate the message that, in reality, we do not care. We are indifferent. Our actions say the poor must bury the poor.
—Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa

Equal opportunity in education worldwide may open new doors for a new and more confident generation.
—José María Aznar, President of Spain

States, peoples, Governments, representatives, the UN Charter—these are the fundamentals of the United Nations. This Organization, essential and pragmatic but still very fragile, reflects those fundamentals in its origins and composition, in its structure and capacities, and in its limitations.
—Lakshman Kadirgamar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka

The four development decades have elapsed without the fulfillment of the desired goals for the developing countries and Africa in particular.
—Omer Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir, President of the Sudan

My country has declared 15 protected areas as a wide range of ecosystems, from tropical forests in the south to coastal formations in the north, making Suriname’s nature conservation system one of the most representative in South America.
—Jules Rattankoemar Ajodhia, Vice-President of Suriname

From an African perspective, it is a fact that conflicts and instability on our continent not only cause immense suffering to those directly involved, but can also have a negative effect on the rest of our people.
—King Mswati III of Swaziland

Some say that equality is a break on development. But take a look around: nations that put the tools of development in the hands of all people are making more lasting progress.
—Göran Persson, Prime Minister of Sweden

Let’s seek out and punish the guilty! During the conflicts, certainly after the conflicts, after the terror, after the intolerance. Justice without grace cannot long endure. We must try to heal wounds left over by history.
—Adolf Ogi, President of the Swiss Confederation

The difficult question that faces the human race today is whether there is an organic link between manufacturing means of killing and destruction and means of development and construction.
—Farouk Al-Shara’, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic

To avoid a “water crisis”, the international community must consolidate efforts to develop and implement a set of measures on rational usage and protection of water resources the world over.
—Emomali Rakhmonov, President of Tajikistan

The new challenges confronting us all as we enter a new century are of far-reaching magnitude and scope which threaten to reverse the recovery process in many countries.
—Surin Pitsuwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

Our most important contribution to the UN has been our continued support for conflict prevention measures.
—Boris Trajkovski, President of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The emergence of new types of conflicts over the past several years requires better designed peacekeeping operations.
—General Gnassingbé Eyadéma, President of Togo

We now find it altogether imperative that developing countries should look into the information and communication technologies.
—Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka-Ata, Prime Minister of Tonga

Our graduation to per capita middle-income status effectively denies us adequate consideration for the developmental support we urgently need.
—Basdeo Panday, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago

We have proposed the conclusion of a partnership and development contract between developing and developed countries, and the recycling of debts for investment in developmental and environmental projects.
—Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of Tunisia

We consider reliance upon and respect for the will of the people as the single most important value to be upheld. Only through this fountain-head will other values flow, and the rule of law become supreme.
—Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President of Turkey

Interconnection and interdependence of the processes that are under way in today’s world are evident. Their dialectics is built along the following line: human being—State—region—continent—whole world—humankind. Any State and any nation is capable today of influencing the entire course of world’s development precisely in accordance with this sequence.
—Batyr Berdyev, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan

Tuvalu strongly supports the development in full and the adoption of the environmental vulnerability index that can better reflect the extreme capacity limitation and vulnerability of small island developing States.
—Panapasi Nelesone, Chairman of the Delegation of Tuvalu

On our part, as developing countries, the era of being mere producers of raw materials must come to an end. We must focus on adding value to all goods before putting them on the market.
—Eriya Kategaya, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uganda

For developing countries and countries with economies in transition the main factors of success in economic reforms and poverty eradication programmes consist in obtaining free access to the world markets, in liberalizing trade and resolving external debt problems.
—Leonid D. Kuchma, President of Ukraine

We call for the respect for the renunciation of violence, non-use of force and the resolution of disputes through dialogue and by peaceful means.
—Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al-Sharqi, Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates

There is a dismal record of failure in Africa on the part of the developed world that shocks and shames our civilization.
—Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

My delegation expresses its hope that the UN in the new millennium will continue to play an active role in supporting developing countries, particularly those in Africa, in improving health amenities and the treatment of pandemics, including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
—Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania

When leaders do seize the passing chance for peace, history stops... and then starts again in a new direction. The UN increasingly is being called into situations of great uncertainty, where courageous leaders seek reconciliation, but where enemies of peace seek to undermine it, and where social and economic institutions must be built to keep alive the hope for peace.
—William J. Clinton, President of the United States

Our region and Uruguay within it already underwent a period of globalization during the so-called Atlantic civilization in the second half of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth. That globalization had one great advantage: markets were opened to the fruits of our labour and to the products of our land. Today, the reality is different, and that is a negative factor in the lives of our peoples.
—Jorge Batlle Ibañez, President of Uruguay

I would like to propose to set up a Council on the Problems of Aral and its Basin under the auspices of the UN Environment Programme.
—Islam A. Karimov, President of Uzbekistan

The Pacific region and its development needs deserve due consideration in the new millennium.
—Barak T. Sope Maautamate, Prime Minister and Minister for Public Services of Vanuatu

Within 15 years we must cut in half the proportion of the world population—now this proportion is 22 per cent—whose income is lower than a dollar per day. —Hugo Chávez Frías, President of Venezuela First and foremost, allocate adequate resources to meeting the urgent demands for economic development and improvement of people’s lives.
—Tran Duc Luong, President of Viet Nam

Peace in the country and in the region is the objective of Yemen’s policy which concentrates on solving the border problems with its neighbours through dialogue, understanding or arbitration.
—Field Marshal Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of Yemen

Development partners who have not done so should strengthen their efforts to honour the long-standing undertaking to allocate 0.15 per cent of their GNP (gross national product) as overseas development assistance to least developed countries and more donors to move towards the 0.20 per cent target.
—Frederick J. T. Chiluba, President of Zambia

The biggest challenge for us still lies in answering the age-old question: Who is my neighbour? Is the man, the woman, the country, the region and the continent on my doorstep neighbourly? Is the culture or civilization that meets mine doing so in the spirit of respect and mutual understanding through genuine dialogue?
—Robert G. Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe

Never before have the leaders of so many nations come together in a single Assembly. This is a unique event. A unique opportunity. And therefore, a unique responsibility. You are the leaders to whom the world’s peoples have entrusted their destiny. They look to you to protect them from the great dangers of our time and to ensure that all of them can share in its great achievements. That, my friends, is what the peoples expect of us. Let us not disappoint them.
—Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations