Hope, despair, promises and more promises. World leaders have spelled out their intent, or say an 'action plan' for the coming year. Note them all, some merely possible, some probably intricate others perhaps a bunch of lies.

Barack Obama, President - United States

Our most important task now is to keep that recovery going. As president, that's my commitment to you: to do everything I can to make sure our economy is growing, creating jobs, and strengthening our middle class. That's my resolution for the coming year.

David Cameron, Prime Minister - United Kingdom

2011 is going to be a difficult year, as we take hard but necessary steps to sort things out. But the actions we are taking are essential, because they are putting our economy and our country on the right path. Together, we can make 2011 the year that Britain gets back on its feet.

The Previous government has wrecked up the biggest budget deficit in our peace time history. We only have to look at what is happening in Greece or Ireland to see the kind of danger we were in. Rising interest rates, falling confidence, others questioning whether if you are still credit worthy as a country.

The new independent office for budget responsibility forecast the economy will grow continuing into 2011 and growth will rise further in 2012.

A lot of heavy lifting will happen in 2011.

Dmitry Medvedev, President - Russia

We will build a modern Russia together, a strong, open and friendly country.

Everything we do, we do for our children, to make sure that they are healthy and successful, and the country they live in is safe, prosperous and happy, a country that respects its elders, cherishes its multiethnic traditions, and is committed to achieving new goals. I am confident that is our future.

Nicolas Sarkozy, President France

Do not believe, my dear compatriots, those who suggest that we leave the euro. The isolation of France would be madness. The end of the euro would be the end of Europe.

To continue reforms is the only way to preserve our model and our identity, it's the only way to protect France and the French.

France will defend the idea of a more regulated and less brutal world where interdependence obliges everyone to listen more to each other.

Silvio Berlusconi - Prime minister, Italy

We believed that Italy needs everything but snap elections, which would expose it to unpredictable risks.

From industry to the Church, we are being asked to make every effort to avoid early elections and to do our job of governing, for which we received a direct mandate from Italy's voters.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor - Germany

In spite of all economic worries, it (2010) turned out to be a good year for Germany.

And all of us can be happy about one thing - never have more people had work in reunited Germany than today... We achieved what we planned to do. We even emerged from the crisis strengthened. This is above all because of your work, dear citizens.

The euro is much more than a currency...A united Europe is the guarantor for our peace and freedom. The euro forms the foundation of our prosperity. Germany needs Europe, and our common currency, for our own well-being and also in order to overcome big challenges worldwide.

Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister - India

Let us make a new beginning to the year. Let us dispel the air of despondency and cynicism.

We will redouble our efforts to deal effectively and credibly with the challenges of inflation, cleansing our governing processes, national security and making our delivery system work for the aam aadmi (common man).

Hu Jintao, President - China

China will adopt a proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy, speed up economic restructuring, improve people's livelihood and push forward reform and opening-up.

China fulfilled the targets set by the 11th Five-Year Program (2006-2010) and increased its economic and comprehensive strength.

International and regional hot issues have cropped up one after another, while peace and development of the world are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges.

Naoto Kan, Prime Minister - Japan

Doubt has been cast on this administration's stance towards the problem of money in politics. This year, I vow that I will restore the people's hope in the government and resolutely carry out reforms that are backed by our citizens.

I aim to have a plan on fundamental reform to social security programs that will include the consumption tax ready to show by mid-year.

Like the opening of Japan in the Meiji Era, when it began to industrialize, or the opening of Japan after the war, when it made its return to international society, I want to make this year the first of an opening for the Heisei era.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President - Iran

In 2011, I expect human society would return to the underlying tenets of divine teachings such as freedom-seeking and justice-seeking, and redouble efforts to establish rapport among all human beings, including followers of Abrahamic religions.

In doing so, people across the world can act to develop solidarity, defend what is right, support the oppressed and fight oppressors.

Julia Gillard, Prime Minister - Australia

Australia can look forward to 2011 confident in our future as a fair and prosperous nation.

I do see some challenges for our country, like creating jobs and strong economy, giving every child a great start in life at school tackling climate jobs, and persevering in our mission in Afghanistan.

I am proud to be Australian. Australia is the greatest country on earth.

Jacob Zuma, President - South Africa

This is the year that marked the 20th anniversary of the release of President Nelson Mandela from prison and the unbanning of liberation movements, which led eventually to a liberated South Africa.

Working together as government, business, labor and other sectors we have to focus on growing the economy to create more jobs. That is the essence of the New Growth Path, the economic development plan that we unveiled for comment recently.

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