Secretary-General, Meeting Solar Impulse Pilots at New York Airport, Says Science, Technology Can Help to Halve Global Energy Consumption, Improve Quality of Life

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the meeting with the pilots of the Solar Impulse, in New York today:

What a delight to welcome the Solar Impulse to New York.  I have followed this audacious, historic and transformative expedition from day one.  In April, I also had the unique privilege of speaking with Dr. Piccard by video while he piloted the Solar Impulse across the Pacific.

That same day, representatives from 175 countries signed the Paris Agreement on climate change at United Nations Headquarters.  The ideas and actions of the Solar Impulse team and other bold innovators will help us meet the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

I am asking all countries to act quickly to ratify or join the Paris Agreement.  We need 55 countries, representing 55 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions, to join so that it enters into force as soon as possible.  But, action need not wait.  As we see before us, innovation and experimentation will help us move into a sustainable future.

The science used in this flight can also be put to use here on the ground.  The plane’s technologies can help halve the world’s energy consumption, save natural resources and improve our quality of life.

Every so often, intrepid pioneers come along who upset the conventional thinking and take us in new directions.  The Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart are aviation legends.  We can certainly add Bertrand Piccard, André Borschberg and the Solar Impulse to that list.  They are circling the world with no fuel, but much energy.

Thank you for captivating the imagination of people around the world.  I wish the pilots all the best for a safe and trail-blazing voyage and as we journey together to a more sustainable world for all.