In a keynote address at the National Retail Federation’s annual conference in New York City, Annan noted that peace goes hand-in-hand with prosperity. Political conflicts and wars therefore play direct roles in the way retailers do business around the world.

In fact, Annan said he had come to the conclusion that stable societies were build on three pillars: peace and stability, development, and rule of law and respect for human rights. ”Each reinforces the other,” he said. “If you do not have a stable environment where people can invest and get return on investment, why would they invest and how do you develop the country?”

The Ghanaian diplomat also used his time at the NRF podium to ask retailers to give Third World nations another look and consider incorporating more small scale farmers and individual businessmen into their supply chains. Noting that six of the ten fastest growing economies are African countries, Annan said that if small farmers from such countries were pulled into the supply chain, they would be able to improve their own living conditions, as well as supply their society.

“We live in a world where the population is growing very fast, and we need to create millions of jobs to keep young people busy,” he said. “The third world is waiting for you.”