SG: Mr. President,

I would like to thank you for giving me and [my wife] Nane the opportunity to explore the reality on the ground.

You said earlier that you will devote your whole life to fighting poverty. Let me assure you, Mr. President, you are not alone in that struggle. You have in me and in the United Nations colleagues around the world and those who are working here in Peru great partners and we will work hand in hand to fight poverty. (Applause)

And fighting poverty does not only mean putting food on the table. As the President has said, it means education, it means health, it means inclusion, it means participation by the poor in decisions that affect their future. The poor have major contributions to make and they are part of society; the cloth of government must be extended to cover them and all groups in society.

And that is why we at the United Nations came up with the Millennium Development Goals that we are working very closely with my friend President Toledo to implement here in partnership with the government, civil society and the private sector. And all of you citizens of Peru have a role to play.

My friends, the handicapped, I'm really very happy to be able to meet you this morning and to see what the President and the government are doing to help you. You're not alone. There are millions of you around the world. You have talent, creativity and ideas that should be tapped by the nations. And many handicapped people have done wonderful things. It is not despite their handicap it is in spite of their handicap that they have been able to achieve these objectives. So don't give up, go ahead with determination. I admire your spirit, your determination and your courage. (Applause)

I think those who do not believe that the handicapped can make contributions and have talent that can help society, need only look around them. Most people remember President Roosevelt who in spite of his handicapped condition did a lot not just for America but for the whole world. Without him, the United Nations would not have been created. I would not be here, talking to you about what the United Nations can do for you. He helped us all despite his condition.

And today one of the greatest scientific minds is Hawkings who is also handicapped. He has given us a lot and is teaching us a lot. He is a good model in the world and a good reminder to the world that we should use the talent of the handicapped.

My dear friends, let me conclude by saying how happy I am to have met you today, and I think my wife Nane who's also very engaged in this process; in New York each year there is an award for the best handicap project in the world and she always attends to show solidarity and to be there with you.

Finally, you must know that we are all your friends.

Thank you.