From the Pope to Malala: Quotes on the UN's new global goals

Leaders from 193 nations adopted an ambitious new set of global goals on Friday to combat poverty, inequality and climate change in the most comprehensive effort ever by the United Nations to tackle the world's ills.

Following are some key quotes about the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approved at a three-day summit that opened on Friday with an address from Pope Francis:

Pope Francis:

Pope Francis addresses attendees in the opening ceremony to commence a plenary meeting of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, New York September 25, 2015. Reuters

 

"We cannot permit ourselves to postpone "certain agendas" for the future. The future demands of us critical and global decisions in the face of world-wide conflicts which increase the number of the excluded and those in need." - "Our world demands of all government leaders a will which is effective, practical, constant, with concrete steps and immediate measures for preserving and improving the natural environment and thus putting an end as quickly as possible to the phenomenon of social and economic exclusion, with its baneful consequences."

Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General:

Ban Ki-moon, U.N. Secretary-General addresses a plenary meeting of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 at United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, New York, September 25, 2015. Reuters

 

"The 2030 Agenda compels us to look beyond national boundaries and short-term interests and act in solidarity for the long-term." - "They are a to-to list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success."

Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace laureate, education activist: 

Malala Yousafzai attends the premiere of "He Named Me Malala" at the Ziegfeld Theater in Manhattan, New York, September 24, 2015. REUTERs

 

"Promise us that you will keep your commitments and invest in our future. Promise that every child will have the right to safe, free and quality primary and secondary education. This is the investment the world needs and what world leaders must do."

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: 

American business magnate Bill Gates (R) and wife Melinda Gates attend a news conference by United Nationss movement "Every Woman, Every Child" in Manhattan, New York September 24, 2015. Reuters

 

"It's a great opportunity for the developed world to really take stock of the differences that exist in average living conditions from what we experience every day and dedicate ourselves to reducing that inequity."

Melinda Gates, co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation:

 

"What's the most pressing issue of our time? It really is ending poverty in the world, and that's what these SDGs are focused on."

Salil Shetty, Secretary-General of Amnesty International:

 

"We cannot blame people for being sceptical when they see yet another summit declaration. There is a huge gap between the world we live in and the world we want. These goals represent people's aspirations and rights and they must and can be realised."