At the United Nations in New York, United States President Barack Obama has told the international community to pull together. In his maiden speech to the UN General Assembly, he said the US could not solve the world's problems on its own.

He appeared to offer the prospect of more US co-operation with the UN and also with its individual member states. His speech covered major global problems such as poverty, the environment, terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Mr Obama called on North Korea and Iran to join in the push for a nuclear-free world.

He went on to say that the US was seeking further disarmament talks with Russia. He also pledged that US policy would no longer hold back action on climate change.

The UN General Assembly will last one week and was opened by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Photo: Barack Obama (EPA)