A world free of nuclear weapons will be safer and more prosperous.
Interpretation
A world without nuclear weapons would lead to greater security and prosperity for all.
Ban Ki-Moon's quote highlights the potential benefits of a world devoid of nuclear weapons, suggesting that the elimination of such weapons could lead to enhanced safety and a more prosperous existence for humanity. The underlying implication is that nuclear disarmament can foster global harmony and cooperation, thus ensuring a brighter future for all nations.
In practice
During a peace conference, this quote can serve to emphasize the need for disarmament.
Nuclear terrorism is one of the most serious threats of our time. Even one such attack could inflict mass casualties and create immense suffering and unwanted change in the world forever. This prospect should compel all of us to act to prevent such a catastrophe.
We have international standards regulating everything from t-shirts to toys to tomatoes. There are international regulations for furniture. That means there are common standards for the global trade in armchairs but not the global trade in arms.
Weapons of mass destruction violate more than individual lives - they cross international borders and jeopardize all people. They also drain resources that could be used instead for medicines, schools and other life-saving supplies. We must come together with even greater determination to prevent a WMD nightmare.
Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and women everywhere, we have learned - it is only through seriousness of purpose and persistence that we ultimately carry the day. We might liken it to riding a bicycle. You stay upright and move forward so long as you keep up the momentum.
By including children with different learning abilities in mainstream and specialized schools, we can change attitudes and promote respect. By creating suitable jobs for adults with autism, we integrate them into society.
Freedom is a timeless value. The United Nations Charter calls for encouraging respect for fundamental freedoms. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights mentions freedom more than twenty times. All countries have committed to protecting individual freedoms on paper - but in practice, too many break their pledge.
We demand a non-violent world where human security is the basis of our common global security. People have the right to live in a world where the basic needs of all peoples are addressed. No more military attacks. No more war.
Peace is not just the absence of war. Like a cathedral, peace must be constructed patiently and with unshakable faith.
The more we elevate people's lives - the more we treat people with dignity and respect and honor their rights and freedoms - the more we discourageand even preventterrorism.
If you want to bring an end to long-standing conflict, you have to be prepared to compromise.
Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice.
International exchanges are not a great tide to sweep away all differences, but they will slowly wear away at the obstacles to peace as surely as water wears away a hard stone.
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