‘You Cannot Put the Phone on Silent,’ Secretary-General Says at High-Level Event on Women, Commending Attendees for Loud, Clear, Strong Global Call to Action

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s closing remarks to the high-level event on Women in Power and Decision-Making, in Santiago today:

Muchas gracias.  Let me begin by expressing my thanks to President [Michelle] Bachelet and all of the organizers for their hard work.  My deepest thanks to all of you for joining forces in Santiago to “build a different world”.

You came here to share your ideas and energy.  You leave here with a strong global call for action.  That call is loud and clear.   And today, we say to the world:  You cannot ignore that call.  You cannot put the phone on silent.  You must answer.  We have waited long enough.  Now is the time to take a stand.  To close gaps, to remove obstacles, to invest in women and girls, to move from deeds to action.  Not next year, not tomorrow, right now.

The reason is simple:  We cannot fulfil 100 per cent of the world’s potential by excluding 50 per cent of the world’s people.

The year 2015 is pivotal for people and our planet.  We can make it the year of sustainable development.  We can make it the year that transforms lives for a generation. For that to happen, women must be front and centre.

I thank all of you for being front and centre here in Santiago — for women and our world.  I am proud to have been a part of this conference.  You can count on the United Nations and on me.  Let us work for a stronger world and a better future for all with equal rights for men and women.  Thank you.  Muchas gracias.