Obama challenges leaders to cooperate more

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama, at the United Nations Wednesday, challenged world leaders to set aside their differences and embrace a new level of engagement.

"No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together," Obama said in his first address to the U.N. General Assembly. (The) time has come for the world to move in a new direction. We must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interests and mutual respect, and our work must begin now."

Obama highlighted U.S. efforts to address global issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, climate change, the international financial crisis and Middle East peace talks, saying some programs yielded progress, while others laid the groundwork for progress in the future.

"But make no mistake: this cannot be solely America's endeavor," Obama said. "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."

Obama offered four concepts "fundamental to the future that we want for our children" -- nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament; promotion of peace and security; preservation of the planet; and a global economy that advances opportunity for all.

These changes won't be realized "simply by leaders like us coming together in forums like this," Obama said. "That is why we must do the hard work to lay the groundwork for progress in our own capitals. That is where we will build the consensus to end conflicts and to harness technology for peaceful purposes; to change the way we use energy, and to promote growth that can be sustained and shared."