Comrades,

There is no doubt, the world we face every day is an unjust world. It is a world that lacks balance. It is a world where there is a lot of room for improvement. That is why we are here - to bring about change.

To achieve sustainable development and security in the world we have to joint forces - and we have to acknowledge that the reality does not look the same for women as it does for men. Today, 1.2 billion people live in extreme poverty, as you heard comrade Lula saying, that 40 million Brazilians are under hunger. One sixth of the world's population is forced to survive on less than one dollar a day, and most of these people are women.

Seven out of ten poor people are girls or women. Therefore, the perspective of the poor is very much the perspective of the poor woman. She is denied the right to go to school. She is forced to have many children without access to clean water or a qualified doctor. She does not have the right to own the house she lives in or the land she works. And she is denied the right to her own body.

There is an increased international understanding of what needs to be done to combat poverty, to achieve sustainable development. We agree on the importance of peace and security, of democracy and good governance. We also agree that developing countries have to take responsibility for pursuing effective anti-poverty policies, and that the rich countries have a responsibility to support the developing countries' efforts by increasing development assistance - but also to improve it and make it more effective.

But on some important issues there is no global consensus. Particularly when it comes to gender equality issues, there are differences of opinion. Issues related to women's and young people's reproductive and sexual health are especially controversial. I am deeply concerned about the reactionary winds that are currently sweeping in over the world and over our societies. The right of women to decide about their own bodies is threatened. When cuts are made to resources allocated to women's reproductive rights, women in developing countries are hit hard. And SI have the responsibility to fight against this, in favour of women - against the reaction!

Not giving women and men equal opportunities is to threaten the development of our societies. Equality between men and women is not only morally and democratically right. It is also wise. Education and health initiatives for girls are amongst the most important investments a society can make. Investments for sustainable developement. When women and men are given the opportunity to participate on equal terms, development will be stronger.

Comrades, Peace and security, respect for human rights, democracy, economic growth, fair distribution of resources, concern for the environment - all of these are needed for sustainable global development. Preventing armed conflicts is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity because without peace there is no development. We know that it is women who are now often responsible for social cohesion during wars and conflicts, and in spite of all they have to suffer, they are often very good at dialogue. This means the forces opposing violence can be very strong - providing women gain a stronger role in our societies.

Yet they are not allowed take part in rebuilding their societies when the conflict is over. Women are not given responsibilities or a share in power by the men who are in a position to allocate power when their societies need reconstruction in the aftermath of a war. This is what makes United Nations Resolution 1325 so important. Women and men alike must have a role in resolving conflicts and in the work involved in rebuilding societies affected by conflict. If respect cannot be shown and gender equality cannot be taken into account in societies that need to be rebuilt - sometimes from their very foundations - when will the time come to talk about equality between women and men?

Poor countries and poor people suffer the effects of environmental damage more directly. Their ability to support themselves is threatened when ecosystems are impoverished, water polluted and forests laid waste. The rich countries must take the lead in this area - it is our responsibility, above all, and it is we who have the resources. The rights perspective is about the right to take part in building up one's country. It applies to children and young people. Countries can never be developed from the outside. Development grows from within a society. This is why we have to get better at listening. Our policy must be based to a greater extent on the reality, experiences and priorities of all individuals, women's and men's. Ultimately, this is the only way to achieve sustainable global development and security in the world.

Thank you.