Clinton Global Initiative kicked off Sunday with representatives from the worlds of philanthropy, politics and business meeting for three days of sessions aimed at tackling the world's most pressing problems.

The theme of this year's meeting is "Designing for Impact," creating discussion on the development of better tools, interventions and partnerships when it comes to tackling issues such as poverty, health, the environment and more.

This year's speakers include Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addressing attendees Monday morning, and President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaking Tuesday.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the "top priority" of the meeting is sustainable development.

"I'm going to sound an alarm to all the leaders," he said. "We are living in an era of insecurity, injustice, inequality and intolerance, and what should we do?"

WATCH live above. See full Clinton Global Initiative schedule here.

Click through the slideshow below to see photos from the Clinton Global Initiative.

SLIDESHOW:

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  • World Leaders In Politics, Finance Gather For Clinton Global Initiative

    NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Linda Tischler (L), Senior Editor of Fast Company Magazine and Tim Brown, Chief Executive Officer of IDEO speak before the session 'Designing for Impact' at the Clinton Global Initiative September 23, 2012 New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world's major problems. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Bill Clinton,

    Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks as he opens the Clinton Global Initiative, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

  • Queen Rania, Ban Ki-Moon Jim Yong Kim

    Queen Rania Al Abdullah, left, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, center, listen to Jim Yong Kim, right, president of the World Bank, at the Clinton Global Initiative, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

  • World Leaders In Politics, Finance Gather For Clinton Global Initiative

    NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Robert McDonald, Chairman, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble attends during the session 'Designing for Impact' at the Clinton Global Initiative September 23, 2012 New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world's major problems. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Bill Clinton, Tim Shriver, Loretta Claiborne, Dustin Plunkett Deon Namiseb

    Former U.S. President Bill Clinton hugs Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne after she addressed the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in New York. From left are athletes Dustin Plunkett and Deon Namiseb. Tim Shriver, CEO of the Special Olympics, is at right. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

  • Bill Clinton,

    Former U.S. President Bill Clinton listens during the Clinton Global Initiative, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in New York. Participants, consisting of more than 50 current or former heads of state, will attend three days of sessions aimed at solving pressing world problems. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

  • World Leaders In Politics, Finance Gather For Clinton Global Initiative

    NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Tim Brown, Chief Executive Officer of IDEO speaks before the session 'Designing for Impact' at the Clinton Global Initiative September 23, 2012 New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world's major problems. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • World Leaders In Politics, Finance Gather For Clinton Global Initiative

    NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Linda Tischler, Senior Editor of Fast Company Magazine speaks before the session 'Designing for Impact' at the Clinton Global Initiative September 23, 2012 New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world's major problems. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Chelsea Clinton

    Chelsea Clinton listens to her father, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, speak during the Clinton Global Initiative, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

  • Bill Clinton, Ban Ki-Moon Jim Yong Kim

    Ban Ki-Moon, left, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Jim Yong Kim, center, President of the World Bank, listen to former U.S. President Bill Clinton during a panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

  • Bill Clinton, Ban Ki-Moon Jim Yong Kim

    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, left, shakes hands with former U.S. President Bill Clinton after they participated in a panel discussion with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, center, at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

  • World Leaders In Politics, Finance Gather For Clinton Global Initiative

    NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Don Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, listens to speakers during the session 'Designing for Impact' at the Clinton Global Initiative September 23, 2012 New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world's major problems. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

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