The United Nations is relevant today as there has been no World War after its establishment in 1945, says UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis.
He made the comments while speaking to the media at the 52nd Pacific Islands Leaders Forum meeting in the Cook Islands.
“With the values that the UN brings, it has the convening power to bring 193 leaders from around the world without fail to discuss important policies,” Mr Francis said.
“There is a reason that they go, they go because they do not want to take the risk that other people will shape the global policy that affects them without their views.
“That’s why they come – because they want to be at the table when important decisions are being made.
“For example, in issues about war and peace, human rights, development, gender, violence against women, child labour – all of the things that affect the dignity of the human race.
‘They want to be a part of this decision making.”
Mr Francis announced the UN would soon announce details of the inaugural Summit of the Future to discuss issues that would affect the world 50 years from now.
