New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened on Wednesday the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, calling on the world body to unite behind principal targets in the 21st century, including climate change and disarmament. "If ever there were a time to act in spirit of renewed multilateralism - it is now," Ban told the 192-nation assembly with the largest gathering of presidents and prime ministers, who came to New York to attend Tuesday's climate change summit and week-long meetings.
He also cited nuclear disarmament, the fight against poverty, prevention of sexual violence against women and the need for democratic reform in countries like Myanmar.
He called for an end to the bloodshed in the Middle East and the war in Afghanistan.
More than 100 national leaders will address the assembly this week.
