Living in Peace Means Learning to Co-Exist with Nature, Secretary-General Says in Message for World Leaders Conservation Forum

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) World Leaders Conservation Forum, in Jeju, Republic of Korea, today:

Your Excellency Mr. Yoon Seungkyu, Minister of Environment of Korea, Your Excellency Mr. Won Heeryong, Governor of Jeju Special Self Governing Province, Ms. Inger Andersen, Director General of IUCN, Excellencies, distinguished world leaders, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to greet the first World Leaders Conservation Forum.  I thank the Government of the Republic of Korea, Jeju Province and the International Union for Conservation of Nature for hosting.

2015 is a crucial year for launching a new sustainable development agenda and reaching a meaningful universal agreement on tackling climate change.  I very much count on your support.

The theme of your Forum — “Nature: a path to peace and coexistence” — tells us there is an urgent need to strengthen the relationship between conservation and our pursuit of a safer, more harmonious future for all.

We depend on nature’s rich resources for the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.  When the web of life becomes frayed, our sustainable future is imperilled.

To live in peace and prosperity, we have to learn to co-exist with nature, and use its gifts wisely, and with care.

I count on your leadership to conserve our planet’s wealth, and I wish you a successful meeting.  Thank you.  Gamsa Hamnida.