Secretary-General, in Message for Human Rights Council, Urges Swift Climate Action to Transform Economies, Harness Potential of Low-Carbon Future

Following is the text of UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Human Rights Council meeting on climate change, in Geneva today:

I welcome this important discussion on climate change by the Human Rights Council.  Climate change threatens our ability to achieve sustainable development, and in some cases, our very survival.  It could fuel famine, political upheaval and conflicts over resources.

The most recent assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirmed that climate impacts are having disproportionate impacts on women, the poor, indigenous peoples, traditional farmers, coastal communities and migrants.  People living in developing countries, particularly in small island developing States, in Africa and in the least developed countries, have contributed the least to dangerous carbon emissions.  Yet, they are bearing the brunt of these hardships, and will continue to do so.

It is time for climate action.  We must transform our economies and harness the potential of a low-carbon future.  Reaching a meaningful universal agreement at the Paris Climate Conference in December this year is a vital step along this path.  I count on the members of the Human Rights Council to demonstrate leadership and to do your part in this historic year to achieve the progress we so urgently need.

Please accept my best wishes for a successful discussion.  Thank you.