In Message to Paris Council, Secretary-General Urges Engagement on Climate, Calling ‘All Hands on Deck’

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council on Climate Change, delivered by Janos Pasztor, Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Change, in Paris today:

I am pleased to send greetings to all participants at this Plenary Assembly of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council meeting on the critical issue of climate change. 

This year is a time for global action.  The United Nations has three major priorities for 2015: completing the Millennium Development Goals; adopting an ambitious and transformative sustainable development agenda, including a new set of sustainable development goals; and concluding a meaningful, new universal agreement on climate change.

France will play a critical role as host to the Paris Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change in December.  I count on you to engage in supporting its success.  We need all hands on deck to ensure that governments respond to the growing demands of people everywhere for results that protect our planet while fostering inclusive growth.

Climate action is already demonstrating its value.  Through your advocacy, you can encourage greater progress in turning the climate challenge into an opportunity for sustainable progress.

We have seen the power of creative collaboration at the Climate Summit that I convened last September in New York and cotemporaneous climate marches attended by hundreds of thousands of people in cities around the world, including Paris.  I am grateful to all those who raised their voices in support of this urgent cause.

Your discussions can generate new ideas, strong advocacy and sound guidance that will contribute to the success of our global push to usher in a better future, where all people can live in dignity for generations to come.  I wish you a productive discussion.