Noting that the present world is one that offers both immense promise and great peril, the President of the United States told global leaders at the United Nations that it was "entirely up to us" to either lift the world to new heights, or let it fall into a valley of disrepair.

"To overcome the perils of the present and to achieve the promise of the future, we must begin with the wisdom of the past," Donald Trump said today at the general debate of the 72nd session of General Assembly.

"Our success depends on a coalition of strong and independent nations that embrace their sovereignty to promote security, prosperity, and peace for themselves and for the world."

Noting that the US would remain a "great friend" to the world, and especially to its allies, the President underscored that his country can no longer be taken advantage of, and that he would defend US interests above all else.

"But in fulfilling our obligations to our own nations, we also realise that it’s in everyone’s interest to seek a future where all nations can be sovereign, prosperous, and secure," he noted.

He also called for greater reforms at the UN, urging the Organisation to focus more on results, rather than bureaucracy and processes. He also called for more fair cost sharing among UN Member States