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He points out that the international community needs to rethink the way it is dealing with migration, which will increase in the future as a result of climate and other changes. Despite the endless suffering and conflicts in many parts of the world, he believes that on average the human race has never had it better than it is today.

60 million people across the world are displaced by war, violence and environmental disaster. The civil war in Syria has forced 11 million from their homes. Four million have sought sanctuary in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, and over one million refugees fled to Europe last year. What have been the UN measures so far?

The number of refuges around the world has increased by 24 percent to 20 million from the previous year. We have 40 million internally displaced people and then we have migrants- almost 250 million migrants and the number is still growing. Although the funding for humanitarian aid continuous to increase, there remains a serious gap between the available resources and the real needs. Bearing in mind this gap, which is also increasing, we have to focus more on prevention to address the root causes of migration. Solving conflicts peacefully is certainly an important element in this endeavor. In addition, we have to make sur that development is more targeted and focused to make sure that all push factors of migration are properly addressed. Effects of climate change, for example, will lead to more migration. Everyone will look for better life conditions when desperate. Today it does not take much to see on your smart phone the conditions people live in other parts of the world. So people in desperate situations will quickly know where to head for, not only for a better life, but also for survival. We have to be prepared for the demographic pressures. We need to deal with it right now at the global level, it is not just a European problem. International solidarity is needed more than ever. The international community must rethink the legal structures and operational structures to deal with migration. This has to be combined with broader concept of preventive policies and actions.

There are individuals and groups who are abusing the abovementioned global situation for the expansion of extremism and, as we often read, fear then overtakes the freedom and human rights of a fellow man. What is the UN's approach to prevent the negative global security-policy scenarios?

Today you need to look at security and human rights from an integrated perspective, you cannot look at them any long in separated silos. We live in an interconnected world with its particular challenges. Increasing inequalities and a prevailing lack of trust in the system and our authorities are important characteristics of our society of today. Even in many of the western countries, economic wellbeing has been unequal and has not increased the level of trust. However if you look at the statistics, the human race has never had it better lives than it does today. On average, and despite the many despairing situations in the world, we are healthier, live longer, better educated, communicate and travel more. The last 70 years have been an extraordinary period in the history of the human race with very few wars when compared to previous centuries. The fact that technology keeps us know instantly what happens everywhere gives the impression that things are out of control - of course there are problems, conflicts and tensions that we need to manage. We are somehow between two chairs where: the old governance system at all governance levels is being challenged and the new system is not yet in place. We are in a transitional phase and the feeling of insecurity is prevailing, however things are much better than we think.

Do you think that the fourth industrial revolution has the potential to raise global income levels and improve the quality of life for populations around the world?

Yes, I think it does if we manage it properly. We have to make sure that we manage its ethical dimension, how the technology is used and that all people have access to technology so we do not leave others behind. In the next 20 years, 80 percent of today's jobs will disappear. Of course, new jobs will be created. We do not yet know the nature of many of these new jobs. We have to make sure that humans are at the centre of this technological development. For example, artificial intelligence is moving quite quickly and there has to be an agreement on how we oversee its use. On what ethical criteria will artificial intelligence be part of our life? These are important questions that we have to address now before it is too late - technology is moving at a very rapid pace.

According to the UN and World Bank, at least 663 million people lack access to safe drinking water and 2.4 billion (40 percent of the world's population) lack access to basic sanitation services. How does the UN deal with this challenge?

It is a huge challenge and we deal with it in many different ways; we have a coordinating role and agreements with many different agencies to work on these issues. Where we are lagging is on the preventive side. Look at what is happening along the Nile, Euphrates and in Himalayas. Countries through which these and other rivers cross do not care what is going on with their neighbor further down the river basin and that has to stop! These are major problems that need to be managed because when one country has a problem, we all will face the consequences: No water, no life - where will the people go to? They will go to places with water, to the neighboring region, to the neighboring country, may be also to Europe or to another region to escape hunger. It is obvious that we have a responsibility to prevent such tragedies, also beyond our country and region. We have to find preventive solutions to this and similar challenges through collaborative projects with governments and local communities.

From a long-term perspective, is privatisation of water sources sustainable?

Instinctively, I would say no. I think water is a common good; we just need to be much better at its management. Sometimes there may be a need to put a value to it rather than to privatise it - if you pay for water you are much more careful how you deal with it.