Quotable quotes from General Debate of UN General Assembly on Sept. 23

Following are quotable quotes from the speakers at the General Debate of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23:

"The government of Haiti has noted with the greatest interest the secretary-general's statements with regard to two issues which make the (UN) Organization uncomfortable, the multiple cases of sexual abuse perpetrated by the 'blue helmets' and the introduction of cholera into Haiti." "The UN's acknowledgement of its responsibility in the second issue opens the way for real discussions on the obligation to definitively eliminate cholera from Haiti." -- Jocelerme Privert, the president of Haiti.

"The threat posed by climate change must not be underestimated. Urgent and effective global action on climate change mitigation and adaptation is required to avoid the catastrophic consequences of global warming." -- the vice president of Botswana.

"The tourism industry of SIDS (small island development state) is particularly challenged by the negative effects of global warming. Taking measures to reverse this trend is as essential to use as preserving marine and coastal ecosystems and biodiversity and making clean and sustainable use of oceans." -- Anerood Jugnauth, the prime minister of Mauritius.

"The United Nations has a considerable role to play in changing the environment conducive to intolerance, racial discrimination, xenophobia, violent extremism and terrorism." -- Edward Nalbandian, the foreign minister of Armenia.

"The unspeakable horror of Syria. Girls abducted and enslaved by Boko Haram. Teenagers on the run -- looking for opportunities, but never having attended school. Our time is also marked by the return of geopolitical rivalries, and of isolationism. The basic tenets of our co-existence are being challenged." -- Margot Wallstrom, the foreign minister of Sweden. Enditem