UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed that this year must be a time for global action, and future generations will judge "us" harshly if "we" fail to meet the obligations set.
After addressing the General Assembly in an informal meeting, Ban told journalists that the 2015 is a year of historic opportunity.
"We are the first generation that can end poverty, and the last one that can take steps to avoid the worst impacts of climate change," he said.
"With adoption of our new development agenda and sustainable development goals and climate change agreements, we can set the world on course for a better future," Ban added.
The world continues to face multiple crises, with more people displaced and in need than at any time in decades, he added.
"Beyond the diplomacy and humanitarian action needed today, there are lessons for the future. Whether it is disease or conflict or human rights abuses, the international community needs to act earlier, focus on prevention and get at the root causes before events get out of control," he said.
Ban made a special appeal for tolerance and understanding. In far too many places, he said, acts of terrorism, extremism, unspeakable brutality and a deeply worrying escalation of tensions between communities and within societies has been seen. He also touched on the "despicable" attack in Paris, and sadly expressed that the most horrifying image was of a French policeman ruthlessly executed on a sidewalk, which "he himself was a Muslim," he said.
"It should never be seen as a war of religion ... for religion ... or on religion," but rather is an "assault on our common humanity, designed to terrify and incite," he affirmed.
All have to find a way to live together, in peace, in harmony, in full respect of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, Ban pointed out.
Furthermore, Ban spoke about militant Islamist group Boko Haram in Nigeria, of which has continued its violence, killing Christians and Muslims, kidnapping even more women and children, and destroying churches and mosques.
He then urged Boko Haram's leaders to end the destruction of so many lives and communities, and immediately and unconditionally release the kidnapped school girls and boys and all others. The international community cannot let human rights abuses continue with impunity, he stressed.
Source: KUNA