Majesties, Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms. Ban Ki-moon, authorities, ladies and gentlemen,

Mahatma Gandhi said that if the world is still alive, despite many wars, it is because the power of love and humanity is victorious.

I admit that, for a moment, I doubted that claim, especially when 10 years ago, I first landed in Mumbai, where millions of people suffer daily in the largest slum areas of Asia, deprived of their most basic human rights.

Moved by the vision of a place free of poverty and social injustice, I created the NGO Mumbai Smiles. After that, other dreamers and people who joined me in that vision, made me see, day by day, how right Gandhi was when he spoke about the triumph of goodness.

During these more than ten years we have been working with communities, education, health and socio-economic development projects that have benefited more than 8,000 people from the slums of Mumbai, agents of change to which we have been privileged to provide tools for self-sufficiency and become, ultimately, free citizens.

We are a team of over 150 people who have been fortunate to work, on several occasions, with staff and volunteers of the various United Nations agencies, implementing common programs and closely checking their dedication, commitment and good work.

The organization that I chair, like many others in many parts of the world, joins the United Nations shared fight against poverty, one of the purposes for which it was created. For this, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a major milestone "to free humanity from the tyranny of poverty." And it is certainly a common responsibility: each and every one of us.

I am convinced that this is a perfect opportunity to recall that, above all, we are planetary and until we recognize as a brother every person in the world, in spite of kilometers, environments or ethnicity, we can not say out loud that this planet is our home.

Now is the time to remember that the word is a garden. Let's plant its flowers every day and from our positions.

Majesties, thank you, because fulfilling 60 years since the entry of Spain in the United Nations, today You represent here a country that believed and still believe in the work and direction of this organization. Plase make sure that the commitment, consistency and respect for human rights and freedoms will always be in this alliance.

Mr. Ban-ki-moon, congratulations on these 70 years of United Nations, 70 years of not always visible and recognized work, but certainly very necessary, useful and fruitful.

Because although some trees may cause shadows and there is still arid land to be planted, thanks to the United Nations the world today is a garden with more light and flowers, where is much more pleasant to live, breath and walk freely.

Thank you.

Jaume Sanllorente took part, last Thursday October 29^th, in the ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations and the 60th anniversary of the annexation of Spain to this international organization. The event took place in the Hall of Columns of the Royal Palace of Madrid.

During the event, chaired by TTMM the King and the Queen of Spain and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Sanllorente gave a speech in front of 250 guests, representative of the highest State institutions.

After Sanllorente's speech, a musical performance came the speeches of the Prime Minister, His Majesty the King and the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Once the ceremony finished, Jaume Sanllorente could hold a brief meeting with Mr Ban Ki-moon and TTMM the King and the Queen of Spain.