Climate Efforts in Paris Must Reflect Rights, Aspirations of Poor, Marginalized, Most Vulnerable, Secretary-General Says at ‘Momentum for Change’ Event

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the COP21 Momentum for Change event in Paris today:

This is the fifth time I have addressed this Momentum for Change event.  Each time I am filled with renewed hope.  I thank the Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres, of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for organizing these gatherings.

Today, as never before, we see momentum for change coming from every sector of society.  Governments, cities, the private sector, investors, faith communities and the public at large are mobilized, as we have seen here in Paris.

Here at COP21, national Governments are seeking to forge a universal, robust agreement that will curb emissions and strengthen resilience.  A global climate agreement will accelerate the growth of sustainable, clean energy.  It will propel green innovations.  And it will strengthen implementation of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Agenda.

The Sustainable Development Goals are rooted in human rights and the quest for dignity for all people.  Today is Human Rights Day.  Our efforts here in Paris and beyond must uphold the principles of gender equality, and reflect the rights and aspirations of the poor, the marginalized, and those most vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate.

Entrepreneurs and innovators around the world are already ushering in a new era of low emissions, climate-friendly growth.  They aren’t waiting for others to act.  They know the future lies with those who have the vision and courage to take the initiative.

At the Climate Summit held at the United Nations in September last year, many new initiatives were launched that drew on this same inspiration.  Partnerships were built on a shared desire to reduce climate risks and maximize the benefits of greener, cleaner lifestyles.  I have been pleased to see many of these initiatives featured here at COP21.  The Lima to Paris Action Agenda has built on the Summit’s success and provides an example of effective climate partnerships.

The 16 award winners this year are focusing on some of the most important elements of climate action.  From solar-powered solutions for households in sub-Saharan Africa, to communications tools that help rural farmers and Pacific island nations better predict and adapt to climate change, they are achieving results.

Collectively, these initiatives are delivering social and environmental benefits and demonstrating the potential for long-term transformational change.  The initiatives recognized here were not started in pursuit of fame or fortune.  They were launched by individuals who were inspired to turn the challenges posed by climate change into opportunities for new ways of building a more sustainable future.

The “Lighthouse Activities” of this year’s award winners highlight resourceful, innovative, and replicable examples that can serve as a beacon of light to inspire others to take action.  The United Nations is also walking the talk.  Member States have now joined me in calling for a climate-neutral United Nations.  The UN system — from Headquarters to the field — is working to be climate-neutral by 2020, if not before.

Today’s gathering is an award ceremony.  But let us all look forward with optimism to another such ceremony awaiting us here in Paris.  The closing ceremony of COP21 will be the most important award ceremony of the year.  The award we all seek is a robust, global climate agreement, and a new era of opportunity for people and planet.

Together with the Sustainable Development Goals, a Paris agreement can lay a firm foundation for peace, security, prosperity and dignity for all the world’s peoples.

I thank each of the award winners for their ingenuity and courage, and wish you all much success.