Secretary-General says environment ministers can offer ‘new generation

of solutions’ in message to monte carlo global forum

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Monte Carlo, 20 February:

Distinguished ministers, delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to send greetings to UNEP’s annual gathering of environment ministers.

For more than 20 years, you and your forerunners have produced some of the most creative, constructive, cooperative and forward-looking solutions to the sustainability challenges we face.

Thanks largely to you and your predecessors, the world has a framework convention on climate change, carbon trading and carbon markets.

These represent a way of doing business on this planet differently -- a glimpse into the real possibility of a green economy.

Now, your generation of environment ministers can bring in a new generation of solutions.  You can help us meet the crucial challenge of mobilizing finance to meet the climate challenge.  You can help build a decisive and deep regime for emissions reductions after 2012.

You can work for better funding for adaptation.  You can help develop financial incentives and mechanisms so markets can respond to the opportunities of a rising carbon price.

In all these efforts, you have the Bali road map as your guide.

Over the next three days, your task is to provide fresh impetus to this work, and to strengthen our global environmental institutions.  Through the Medium-term Strategy before you, you have an opportunity to set the course for a more focused and results-based UNEP.

We have 22 months left to the climate convention meeting in Copenhagen.  Achieving a deal there is my priority, and that of the entire UN family.  We must sustain the momentum, including through practical actions now.

The people of the world are demanding change.  Let us make sure we deliver it.  I hope this Forum will inspire you in that mission.

Thank you very much.

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For information media • not an official record