We live in challenging times. This phrase has been repeated so often that it risks becoming a cliche. But the truth is that these challenges are real, and they require our attention. Even those of us who have spent decades in politics and international affairs remain alert to the magnitude of the challenges we face.

But we have to shift the focus from challenges to aspirations — because aspirations drive action. And there are three key aspirations that I believe must guide our collective efforts: Peace, planet and prosperity.

Human beings have the fundamental right to live in peace. Peace cannot be a privilege of the few. It is not something that some can enjoy while others suffer. Peace must be shared, or it will remain unsustainable and a source of grievances.

We must leverage all available political capital to resolve the conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan. I highlight these conflicts due to their risk of escalation and regional impact, but they are, by no means, the only ones requiring our attention and we continue to witness appalling levels of violence and human suffering in many other places, underscoring a chronic failure to secure lasting solutions.

Achieving peace requires concerted action at all levels. The United Nations and regional organizations must fulfill their responsibilities, upholding international law consistently and impartially, free from double standards. Member states, particularly major powers, must leverage their influence to broker peace, acting with legality, responsibility and foresight.

And civil society must continue to press governments to prioritize peace as a shared and universal objective.

The health of our planet is central to everything we do. Climate change is not just a scientific reality; it is a political, economic and moral test.

We are now in a final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 C. The years on record have made clear that time is not on our side.

Floods are tearing down communities and wiping out critical infrastructure. In November, lives were tragically lost in Valencia, Spain, due to devastating floods. This is not an isolated event. It is happening everywhere, from Asia to Europe, where my own country experienced the brutal effects of climate-induced floods last year.

No one can fight this battle alone. We need a strong and united effort where governments, businesses, civil society and individuals push in the same direction. All countries must do their part. No one is exempt from this responsibility.

Financing will be key. Climate finance is essential not only for mitigation and adaptation but also to ensure equity and justice in how the burdens of climate action are shared.

Our response must go beyond mitigation and adaptation. It must be about transformation. We need to rethink how we produce, consume and govern. COP30 held in Brazil in 2025 will be a defining moment.

There is no future without prosperity. But prosperity must be shared. It cannot be confined to a select few or limited to certain regions of the world. It must be inclusive, fair, and rooted in sustainable development. Prosperity is about economic growth, but also about human dignity, social progress and opportunity for all.

International trade has been a major avenue toward economic progress and prosperity. However, for a number of years now the global trading system has been under stress. It is very encouraging to see that China's policy of opening-up is continuing, and I share the vision of retaining high-standard openness of the Chinese economy for the future.

Open trade is a vital engine for growth, innovation and poverty reduction. Unfortunately, the benefits of globalization have not been evenly distributed, widening the gap between rich and poor, both within and across countries.

Technology has the potential to bridge this gap. It can accelerate development, create jobs, and expand access to health, education and finance. But this potential will only be realized if technology is made accessible and inclusive. The digital divide is real, and unless we close it, it will become yet another driver of inequality.

We must place human development at the heart of prosperity. Development must be understood as the creation of conditions where every person can flourish, and nations must ensure that development priorities, from education and healthcare to social protection, are fully embedded in the global agenda.

Prosperity also depends on the stability of the global economy. Recent years have shown us how fragile global economic interdependence can be. From supply chain disruptions to financial shocks, we have witnessed how quickly systems can break down. Economic resilience must be built into the system — diversifying supply chains, promoting sustainable finance, and addressing debt vulnerabilities in low- and middle-income countries.

None of this can be achieved without global solidarity. We need a bold approach to multilateralism that recognizes shared responsibilities and the need to support countries with fewer resources and capabilities.

Addressing inequality is crucial. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind — not women, not young people, not those in vulnerable communities.

We must help to ensure that globalization remains a force for good. We must help to ensure that open trade benefits all, not just the wealthiest. We must help to ensure that technology empowers people, not displaces them. We must help to ensure that our development model prioritizes people and the planet, not just profits.

At a time when global divisions are deepening, platforms for dialogue and cooperation are more essential than ever. The 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum cohosted by Club de Madrid with our friends and partners from China is not just a one-day forum. It is a process, a living platform for dialogue and a positive bridge, connecting people, perspectives and solutions with the long-term ambition of making multilateralism work for all. This is the vision we carry forward, and it is the reason we must keep this process alive.

The author is president of World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid and former president of Slovenia from 2007 to 2012.