Humanity Has Entered Era of Sustainability with 2030 Agenda, Says Secretary-General, in Message to Beijing Forum 2016

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Beijing Forum 2016, today:

Madam Yan Junqi, the Vice-Chairperson of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Hao Ping, Vice Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Zhu Shanlu, Chairman of Peking University, Dr. Lin Jianhua, President of Peking University, ladies and gentlemen,

I send warm greetings to the Beijing Forum.

You gather at a time of transition.  With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, humanity has entered the era of sustainability.  With the Paris Agreement on climate change, which enters into force today, we have tremendous potential to move towards greener, cleaner, low-carbon growth.  And with the recent choice of my successor as Secretary-General, the United Nations itself is in transition.

This year’s Beijing Forum takes place as we mourn the passing of Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, who attended this gathering on my behalf since its inception.  Ambassador Reed was a skilled diplomat and a leading champion of the United Nations.  Let us give thanks for his lifetime of good works and always remember the joy he brought to so many people across the world.

Thank you again for your commitment to global harmony and prosperity.  Please accept my best wishes for a successful Forum as we strive to advance our peace, development and human rights for all on a healthy planet.

Thank you.