We must open our hearts and do more to help refugees: Barack Obama at UNGA

"We must open our hearts and do more to help refugees who are desperate for a home," Obama urged at the 71st United Nations General Assembly address.

Obama called for rejection of the fundamentalism

"Instead we need to embrace the tolerance that results from respect for all human beings," said he.

The US President said that: "Our international community must continue to work with those who seek to build rather than destroy."

He said religious traditions can be honored and upheld while teaching young people science and math, rather than intolerance.

Speaking about the global economy, the US President said: "It starts with making the global economy work better for all people, and not just for those at the top."

"A world in which 1% of humanity controls as much wealth as the other 99% will never be stable," he noted.

He said the "integration of our global economy has made life better for billions of men, women and children."

Speaking about the Paris climate accord, Obama said: "The Paris Agreement gives us a framework to act, but only if we scale up our ambition.

Earlier in the day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon while opening the 71st annual debate of the UN General Assembly, called on world leaders to recognize that the important positions they hold are a reflection of the trust the people have in them and “not personal property.”

“My message to all is clear: serve your people. Do not subvert democracy; do not pilfer your country's resources; do not imprison and torture your critics,” he said in his opening address to leaders from the UN’s member countries of the UN.

He added, however, that after 10 years as the top UN official, he is “more convinced than ever that we have the power to end war, poverty and persecution.”

Image: The White House Twitter Page