Mr.
President,
Mr.
Secretary-General,
Distinguished
Heads of State and Government,
Excellencies,
Ladies and
Gentlemen.
We
meet today at the United Nations to celebrate the new Millennium and to declare our vision
for the future. We have come together sent by the peoples of our common globe. We have a
mandate and a responsibility. Our vision carries particular authority. It will resonate
for years to come and guide the efforts of the international community.
We
have a task and we need to fulfil it. Our task is threefold : we need to meet the demands
of the outside world, we need to clarify the role of the UN in the world affairs and we
need to change the UN to be a modern organisation.
The
world outside this building is changing with an ever greater speed. Humankind faces both
daunting challenges and unprecedented opportunities. We need to act together to address
globalisation. We must make best of the opportunities and face the challenges with wisdom,
justice and courage. It is our responsibility to save the environment - our common
heritage - to the future generations.
Human
being is in the centre of our work. Every human being is valuable. We need to work
together as fellow citizens and partners: women and men, black and white, children and
adults, rich and poor, strong and weak.
I
salute you, Mr. Secretary-General, for your report which has been valuable in inspiring
the Millennium Declaration. The overriding theme of your report is globalisation, which in
itself is an embodiment of the challenges, opportunities and rapid change. The changes are
fundamental but we have a common awareness of this. We know the causes and many of the
consequences of globalisation. This gives us an opportunity to influence the change for
the better. This is the core of your report and the resolute message of our Declaration.
We
the peoples make the critical choices. A global marketplace is an effective means of
creating and distributing wealth, but it must be governed by a fair set of rules, by the
people and for the people. Also at the national level the key to development and progress
is democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance. Without a solid
domestic foundation, a country will fail even under the best of global rules.
Our
planet is a global village, but not all the houses are alike. This village suffers from
poverty. To eradicate poverty we need solidarity. Solidarity grows from individuals.
There is a
continued need for multilateralism. In an interdependent world, no nation is an island and
everybody's fortunes are linked. The United Nations is the stronghold of multilateralism
and should continue to be so.
This
Millennium Summit is the moment to reflect on the future of the United Nations. The United
Nations is often the only one out in the field to assist, to advise and to build
institutions. It is imperative that the Member States give it the means and resources that
enable the Organisation to fulfil its mandate.
We
cannot expect the United Nations to accomplish everything alone. To be successful and
credible, it must act in partnership with other Organisations and with the civil society.
We must make the Organisation reflect the world as it is today.
I
declare the Millennium Summit open. 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. Let us feel our responsibility towards our fellow citizens. We have the means if we
have the will. Let us make this Millennium Summit a success !
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