“The power of the leader is given to him by the people, so he has a duty to engage and listen more attentively and carefully to the aspirations of the people.”

In a world of plenty, no one, not a single person, should go hungry. But almost 1 billion still do not have enough to eat. I want to see an end to hunger everywhere within my lifetime.

Many say our world is at a tipping point. If we do not act together, if we do not act responsibly, if we do not act now, we risk slipping into a cycle of poverty, degradation, and despair.

I believe in a world of justice and human rights for all. A world where girls can grow up free of fear of abuse. A world where women are treated with the respect and dignity that is their right. A world where poverty is not acceptable. My dear young friends, you can make this your world.

World military spending has now risen to over $1.2 trillion. This incredible sum represents 2.5 per cent of GDP (global gross domestic product). Even if 1 per cent of it were redirected towards development, the world would be much closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

A deal must include an equitable global governance structure. All countries must have a voice in how resources are deployed and managed.

Let us acknowledge and celebrate what youth can do to build a safer, more just world. Let us strengthen our efforts to include young people in policies, programmes and decision-making processes that benefit their futures and ours.

Society’s dependence on fossil fuels is jeopardising social and economic progress.

Since problems spill across borders, security anywhere depends on sustainable development everywhere.

As the young leaders of tomorrow, you have the passion and energy and commitment to make a difference. What I’d like to really urge you do is to have a global vision. Go beyond your country; go beyond your national boundaries

Climate change has happened because of human behaviour, therefore it’s only natural it should be us, human beings, to address this issue. It may not be too late if we take decisive actions today.

Planet Earth is our shared island, let us join forces to protect it

On this International Day, let us promise to make peace not just a priority, but a passion. Let us pledge to do more, wherever we are in whatever way we can, to make every day a day of peace.

I am not a national leader. If I am a national leader I can speak out all that I want.

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth… these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.

We must follow the wisdom of the Brundtland Report. We must pursue development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

On this International Day for the Abolition of Slavery let us reaffirm the inherent dignity of all men, women and children. And let us redouble our efforts to build societies in which slavery truly is a term for the history books.

Considering how much we are all given to discuss the characters of others, and discuss them often not in the strictest spirit of charity.

The power of divorce can be given only to those who feel the inconveniences of marriage, and who are sensible of the moment when it is for their interest to make them cease.

Writers don’t need to be given formulas; they need to be shown possibilities.

If your government had given me a thousandth of the sum it spent to depose me, I could have won that war.

Talent is a gift which God has given us secretly, and which we reveal without perceiving it.

Life was given to me as a favor, so I may abandon it when it is one no longer.

The self is made, not given

Photographs bear witness to a human choice being exercised in a given situation.