VOA标准英语2008年-World Leaders Call for Efforts to Curb Growing

World leaders have expressed growing concern over the turbulent state of the global economy, calling for united action to stop it from worsening. From United Nation's headquarters in New York, VOA's Margaret Besheer reports on the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly's annual meeting.
　
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses members of the 63rd General Assembly the United Nations, 23 Sep 2008

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed leaders and delegates from more than 190 member states.

He presented them with his assessment¹ of the state of the world and presented the U.N. vision for the coming year. The news was not all good.

"We face a global financial crisis," said the U.N. chief. "A global energy crisis. A global food crisis. Trade talks have collapsed², yet again. We have seen new outbreaks of war and violence, new rhetoric³ of confrontation⁴. Climate change ever more clearly threatens our planet.

He urged world leaders to honor their pledges to help alleviate⁵ these and other problems, and called for a united effort to try to solve them.

The United Nations is only a few kilometers from New York's financial district where markets fallen dramatically. Mr. Ban says the growing global financial crisis could undermine U.N. and international efforts to improve living conditions in the poorest countries.

The financial crisis was prominent in the remarks of many of the world's leaders.
　
President Bush speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, 23 Sep 2008

George Bush, who made his last address to the General Assembly as U.S. president, sought to reassure⁶ the international community. He said his administration has taken "bold steps" to prevent a severe disruption of the American economy, which could have a devastating⁷ effect on other economies around the world.

"I can assure you that my administration and our Congress are working together to quickly pass legislation approving this strategy," said President Bush.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking in his capacity as European Union President, proposed a G-8 summit to tackle the crisis, while his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, urged reform of multi-lateral economic bodies. He is heard here speaking through a translator.

"A crisis of such magnitude will not be overcome with palliative measures," said he said. "Mechanisms⁸ for both prevention and control are needed to provide total transparency to international finance."

Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed concern the global economic slowdown, coupled with rising energy and food prices, have brought about an even more challenging development and security environment.

"Under such circumstances, combating terrorism, racism⁹, xenophobia, and all forms of religious discrimination and extremism takes on particular importance," he said.

Later, the presidents of Iran, Georgia, Rwanda, Lebanon, Kenya, Bolivia and Somalia are scheduled to speak.

 

1 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

2 collapsed   

adj.倒塌的

参考例句：

• Jack collapsed in agony on the floor. 杰克十分痛苦地瘫倒在地板上。
• The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。

3 rhetoric   

n.修辞学，浮夸之言语

参考例句：

• Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗？
• Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后，他和军队的关系岌岌可危。

4 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

5 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。

6 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

7 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

8 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 racism   

n.民族主义；种族歧视(意识)

参考例句：

• He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
• Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。