A/RES/54/282
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3. We reaffirm our commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which
have proved timeless and universal. Indeed, their relevance and capacity to inspire have increased, as nations
and peoples have become increasingly interconnected and interdependent.
4. We are determined to establish a just and lasting peace all over the world in accordance with the
purposes and principles of the Charter. We rededicate ourselves to support all efforts to uphold the sovereign
equality of all States, respect for their territorial integrity and political independence, resolution of disputes
by peaceful means and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, the right to selfdetermination of peoples which remain under colonial domination and foreign occupation, non-interference
in the internal affairs of States, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for the equal
rights of all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion and international cooperation in solving
international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character.
5. We believe that the central challenge we face today is to ensure that globalization becomes a positive
force for all the world’s people. For while globalization offers great opportunities, at present its benefits are
very unevenly shared, while its costs are unevenly distributed. We recognize that developing countries and
countries with economies in transition face special difficulties in responding to this central challenge. Thus,
only through broad and sustained efforts to create a shared future, based upon our common humanity in all
its diversity, can globalization be made fully inclusive and equitable. These efforts must include policies and
measures, at the global level, which correspond to the needs of developing countries and economies in
transition and are formulated and implemented with their effective participation.
6. We consider certain fundamental values to be essential to international relations in the twenty-first
century. These include:
•
Freedom. Men and women have the right to live their lives and raise their children in dignity, free
from hunger and from the fear of violence, oppression or injustice. Democratic and participatory
governance based on the will of the people best assures these rights.
•
Equality. No individual and no nation must be denied the opportunity to benefit from
development. The equal rights and opportunities of women and men must be assured.
•
Solidarity. Global challenges must be managed in a way that distributes the costs and burdens
fairly in accordance with basic principles of equity and social justice. Those who suffer or who
benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most.
•
Tolerance. Human beings must respect one other, in all their diversity of belief, culture and
language. Differences within and between societies should be neither feared nor repressed, but
cherished as a precious asset of humanity. A culture of peace and dialogue among all civilizations
should be actively promoted.
•
Respect for nature. Prudence must be shown in the management of all living species and natural
resources, in accordance with the precepts of sustainable development. Only in this way can the
immeasurable riches provided to us by nature be preserved and passed on to our descendants. The
current unsustainable patterns of production and consumption must be changed in the interest of
our future welfare and that of our descendants.
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