Poor people have waited long enough for political leaders to implement results that will lead to better lifestyles, President Marie Louis Coleiro Preca told the United Nations general assembly.

Efforts that have been made so far have not been enough to lift the poor communitues to a better standard of living, she said.

There are too many stories of inequalities, people denied their fundamental rights, people suffering from discrimination, extreme poverty and abuse and exploitation of the more vulnerable, she said.

This is the time when we must believe that we are capable of challenging these situations and work towards social justice, she said.

How can we speak of progress when women and minorities suffer from inequalities? Hoe can we speak of sustainability when so many people live in poverty?

As leaders we cannot look away and we must work to have social, economic and political inclusion for all, she said.