2001 brought both the best and the worst that humanity can produce.

Today, the United Nations is at the forefront of efforts to achieve peace and security in the world, and of the international mobilization aimed at meeting the world's economic, social and environmental challenges.

This video reviews the major achievements of the UN and its staff in 2001 and the most significant events that took place around the world.

As the world confronts new challenges, old ones remain – the fight against poverty, ignorance and racism, which are the roots of global violence. The September attacks on the World Trade Center underline the UN's central role in the campaign to combat terrorism.

The video features contributions from world statesmen on the importance of the UN to formulate policies on humanitarian assistance, economic development and poverty alleviation. The Special Session of the General Assembly held in June 2001 on HIV/AIDS is recalled as one of the highlights of the UN's efforts to fight the disease.

The video concludes with the ceremony in Oslo on 10 December 2001 at which Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the United Nations staff were awarded the 100th Nobel Peace Prize for their continuous dedicated work to fight poverty, promote democracy and defend human rights - 15 min.

Producer: Ingrid Kasper

>Full script in PDF format available for downloading.

>Download Acrobat Reader