The UN Year in Review 2015 produced by the UN Department of Public Information, focuses attention on an unpredictable year which the Secretary-General called “a year of breakthroughs and horror.”

Although the historic climate change conference (COP21) in Paris was considered a huge success following the deadly attacks in Paris on November 13, the image of a little boy’s body washed up on the shores of Turkey, moved the world as to the plight of refugees trying to escape the five year war in Syria.

Memorable, too, was the historic visit of Pope Francis during this year’s 70th session of the UN General Assembly in which the United Nations marked the 70th anniversary of its founding. In his appeal to world leaders, Pope Francis asked Member States “to put care for the planet, humanity, and nature at the top of their moral agenda.”

Also noteworthy in 2015 was the visit by the UN Secretary-General to Norway’s Arctic. Ban Ki-moon took a personal look at the shrinking glaciers he had visited six years ago.

“I am alarmed that there are so many cracks that will soon break. They are melting very rapidly.”

Perhaps, Malala, an advocate for global education, surrounded by blue lanterns and children, said it best with these inspirational words at the United Nations:

“I’m hopeful that we all in the UN will be united in the goal of education and peace and that we will make this world not just a better place, but the best place to live.”

Bravo, Malala!