In just under four months, Ban Ki-moon’s 10-year term as secretary general of the UN comes to an end. In that time, conflict around the world has intensified, record numbers of people have been forced to flee their homes – and the UN’s overall spend has nearly doubled, to more than £42bn. The organisation has come in for much criticism in recent years, not least because of the security council’s perceived failure to protect civilians in Syria, and for its lack of action over abuse allegations against its own peacekeepers.

Yet there have also been significant achievements during Ban’s tenure, notably the adoption of the sustainable development goals, the blueprint that will shape the development agenda until 2030. He has described the goals as: “A plan of action for ending poverty in all its dimensions, irreversibly, everywhere, and leaving no one behind.”

Ban also presided over the Paris climate change agreement – a historic pledge by 195 countries to hold global temperatures to a maximum rise of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. And in 2011, to boost efforts to promote gender equality, expand opportunity and tackle discrimination around the globe, he created UN Women.

What do you think Ban Ki-moon will be remembered for? Will it be his attempt to hold the world to account with the global goals, or the halving of child deaths inspired by the MDGs? Or has his term in office been overshadowed by the UN’s failures? We’d like to hear your thoughts. Submit a response of 250 words or fewer and we’ll publish the best ones. Keep your response clear and concise, avoiding development or academic jargon. Email your response to development@theguardian.com with “Students Speak” in the subject line. Please include your name, the country in which you live, and the university or college you attend. Submissions close at 6pm BST on 7 October.