The billions of dollars spent on weapons could have had a profound effect on poverty and climate change, major problems in the Central Asian region, he said.

He called for the union and cooperation of all nations to confront the problems affecting our planet.

After his speech concluded, he stressed that the world should meditate and reflect on what progress could have been achieved.

The 77th high-level session of the UN General Assembly is being held in New York from 19-24 September 19.