I am pleased to join all of you this morning.  

We are beginning perhaps the most hectic period of the year.  A new session of the General Assembly is upon us.  Leaders from around the world are on their way.  Our agendas are overflowing with meetings and summits and events. 

I can think of no better way to gather strength for this nonstop frenzy than by looking forward together with quiet humility and shared faith in humanity.

We have major challenges before us – conflict, division, insecurity.

But through the dark clouds, I see many rays of hope.  

One year ago, world leaders gathered here and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  I have called it a global declaration of interdependence.  It is our plan for the future of the world.

We have within our sights the end of global poverty.  

We have within our grasp the chance to address climate change before it is too late.  

And we have within our hearts the ability to bring the world’s peoples together in a spirit of harmony, togetherness and inclusion.  

All of this takes leadership.  It takes faith.

That is what draws us here this morning.  And that is what draws the world here this month.

Let us heed the call of all religious traditions to welcome the stranger.  Let us reach out to the left behind.  Let us build a better world for all.

Thank you.