World leaders call for courage, efforts to make 2020 a better year

The promise to take Britain out of the European Union by the end of January was reaffirmed, and national efforts to usher in a remarkable decade of prosperity and opportunity were urged by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his first New Year message at 10 Downing Street.

"The first item on my agenda is to fulfil the will of the electorate and take us out of the European Union," said Johnson. "We can start a new chapter in the history of our country, in which we come together and move forward united, unleashing the enormous potential of the British people."

For 2020, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his New Year's statement on Wednesday made reforms a priority for his government, including creating a social security system that can help people live in a more carefree manner.

Abe also expressed his hope for a successful execution of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to be held this summer, saying he hopes the games will be a wonderful event that will excite children and let them have dreams for the future.

When sending New Year greetings via social networks on Tuesday, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera described 2019 as a difficult year for the South American country, which has since mid-October suffered widespread anti-government protests fueled by anger over social troubles.

"But it left us valuable lessons and opportunities so that together we can build a better Chile for all," he said, adding that the new year is a good time to make balances and projections and work to heal the wounds of the country.

In his end-of-year address to the nation Tuesday evening, Cameroon's President Paul Biya vowed to continue fighting armed separatists in the central African country, saying the separatists pose "one of the most urgent problems."

Meanwhile, he said new legislations on greater autonomy to local communities and bilingual and multicultural practices are paving the way for a new Cameroon that is "adapted to present times and looks to the future."

Zambia's President Edgar Lungu in his New Year address broadcast on state television on Tuesday described 2019 as "a very challenging year" with extreme weather greatly affecting agricultural production and electricity generation.

He said his government has made plans to get the landlocked central African country out of a harsh economic situation, and pledged the continued empowerment of women in national development.