The UN summit opened here Wednesdays with a call to eradicate poverty, enhance collective security and strengthen the United Nations.

"We, the Heads of State and Government, owe this to coming generations. We cannot afford to fail. We need to find collective solution based on the rule of law. And for this, we need a stronger United Nations," said Swedish Prime Minister and co-chair of the summit Goran Persson when he opened the summit.

He said that at this summit, the international community has an opportunity to take decisions that may shape international cooperation for years to come.

Most of the challenges facing the world today are interlinked and can only be met if the international community works together, he added.

The United Nations, he stressed, must be adapted to changing circumstances, noting that the world body is the prime instrument for effective multilateral solutions and a rule-based international order.

"We need a relevant and efficient United Nations. We need a strong United Nations that upholds our collective security system, " he said.

The prime minister listed some of the tasks to be addressed at the summit, including taking early action to prevent conflict, protect people from human rights violations, and supporting states in post-conflict reconstruction, and most important among all, the reform of the United Nations.

He urged the member states to rise above short-term interests and invest in the future for generations to come and take the advantage of this great opportunity to live up to the commitment in the Millennium Declaration and the Development Goals.

"Let each and every one of us do whatever we can to contribute to the great enterprise of building a better United Nations for the benefit of all mankind," he said.

Heads of states and governments from some 150 countries are gathering in the UN headquarters in New York for the three-day summit.

Source: Xinhuao receive people carrying heavy sacks full of all kinds of goods such as cigarettes and food.

Egyptian and Palestinian security forces deployed along the border stood by, observing the scene without any interference.

Amjad Abdel Wahed, 23, said he rushed to the border upon hearing that the border was open and people were allowed to enter Egypt without a visa.

"Then I decided to go to al-Areesh to eat fish there and buy some cigarettes. Cigarettes are so cheap in Egypt," he said.

The 57-year-old Abu Ibrahim said, "I hope the border will remain open for some more time and all the fences and walls removed forever. Business here is excellent with easy access and no tax."

A smiling Amina, 28, who has been living in Egypt for years with her Palestinian husband and three children, said she never thought that she could visit her relatives in Gaza under the Israeli occupation.

"I am extremely happy since I can now go to Rafah and visit my relatives that I haven't seen since I was a little child," she said.

The uncontrolled movement across the border has roused Israel's concerns, which urged Egypt to close the border. Israel has struck a deal with Cairo to deploy 750 Egyptian security forces along the Gaza border to stem weapon smuggling and militant infiltration.

Ahmed Abu Tahha, a 40-year-old Rafah resident, said hundreds of Egyptian police were stationed outside al-Areesh to prevent Palestinians from reaching the road that leads to Cairo.

Source: Xinhua