( CNN ) The horrific events in Paris and northern Nigeria have underlined again how troubled and fragmented our world is . Religious extremism and sectarianism is fueling terrorism and widespread conflict which has forced millions in Syria , Iraq and elsewhere to flee . Aggressive nationalism and politics based on prejudice and a false view of identity is on the increase in many countries . Disease and hunger continue to take a terrible toll . Yet we know what needs to be done , for example , to end the Ebola disaster , halt climate change , rid our world of hunger and begin the difficult process of healing deep divisions in our societies . Our failure is not because of a lack of knowledge or global resources but leadership and resolve -- by politicians but also throughout society . How we put this right must be at the heart of all discussions at Davos this week . Let 's start with Ebola . We have known about this disease for 40 years , how deadly it is , how it is transmitted and how to prevent infection . Yet we have lost thousands of lives already to the epidemic in West Africa and only now have the resources , from within countries and outside , been mobilized to halt it . We need to learn the lessons and ensure we can move much more quickly and effectively before such deadly diseases take hold . The last few months have also underlined the need for big pharma to invest more into the research of diseases that occur in poorer countries . The extraordinary progress in tackling some of the world 's greatest killers through the development and distribution of vaccines shows what can be achieved through our collective efforts . Second , Africa , with the world 's most uncultivated arable land , has the potential to help end the global food security and nutrition crisis . Yet it fails to grow enough food even to feed its own people . Africa 's governments have recognised their responsibility to put in place the policies and investments which will enable the continent 's farmers , big and small , to provide the food needed . They must deliver the improved infrastructure which is vital to this ambition . Business must respond as well , particularly by giving small-holder farmers the access to new crop varieties , techniques and markets . The third area where leadership is absolutely crucial is the climate crisis . How is it possible that climate change conferences continually fail to provide the breakthrough given that the science is so clear about the threat to future generations and our planet ? In December , a global agreement must be reached in Paris on the framework and policies needed to halt climate change . Political leaders need to look beyond the next electoral cycle . Civil society has largely already understood what needs to be done . I believe corporations will quickly respond to the challenge as many already have . There can be no clearer example of where our common values must be rediscovered . There are welcome signs that this is , at last , beginning to be understood . Fourthly , we know that successful peace processes are our only chance of escaping the circle of violence . Without the resolve to address the past openly , and without leaders showing the courage to give peace commissions the independence they need , solutions will be haphazard . It takes courage to address the rights of victims genuinely , but it is fundamental to heal wounds permanently . In a world riddled with conflict , this courage will be more essential than ever . The international community needs to do more to support countries through this often difficult process . Finally , there is also an urgent need to step up support for democracy and elections . While almost every country now votes , public faith in democracy is on the wane . In too many countries , political leaders manipulate the process to deny their citizens a proper voice . Even in mature democracies , there is an increasingly widespread belief that elections change little and that the political elite serve only their only narrow interests . Leaders in 2015 will once more have the choice between using elections to give their regimes a veneer of democratic legitimacy or ensuring a level-playing field , respecting the secrecy of the ballot and , above all , accept the result peacefully . Last year 's successful Presidential elections and peaceful hand-over of power in Indonesia , the world 's third largest democracy , even when the result was very close provided real hope for the future . Supporting the integrity of elections in Africa and elsewhere will be an area , like all these challenges , I and my Foundation sees as particular priorities this year . In times of uncertainty , it is all too easy to surrender to fear and retreat , look inward and think short-term . But what is urgently needed is the ability in politics but also in business and society as a whole to look beyond national borders , the next election or set of quarterly results . This must underpin not just discussions at Davos but all our actions as voters , citizens and consumers in the coming months and years . Read more of CNN 's coverage from Davos 2015 . More from African Voices . The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of Kofi Annan .
Annan : Failure to deal with global issues is because of lack of leadership and resolve . Comment: Davos talks must focus on finding solutions . In business and politics , long-term perspective key to ensuring future prosperity .