New Heights of Solidarity Needed to End War, Poverty, Secretary-General Says in Video Message for World Knowledge Forum

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the seventeenth World Knowledge Forum, in Seoul today:

I am pleased to greet the seventeenth World Knowledge Forum.  Our world faces formidable challenges.  Yet, I know that we have the power to end war, poverty and persecution, close the gap between rich and poor, and make rights real in people’s lives.

With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world has a new manifesto for a better future.  And with the Paris Agreement on climate change, we are tackling the defining challenge of our time.

Continued progress will require new heights of solidarity.  Over the last decade, I have travelled the globe.  In every corner of the world, I have seen the power of people to make a difference.  Working together, we can build a better, safer, more just world for all.  I count on your engagement.  Please accept my best wishes for a productive forum.