Support People Trapped by Poverty, Armed Conflict, Secretary-General Urges in Video Message for ‘Giving Tuesday’

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for “Giving Tuesday”, in New York today:

I am pleased to join people across the world in marking Giving Tuesday, which this year is framed around the Sustainable Development Goals.  From HIV to human rights, from education to the empowerment of girls, all issues are part of the Goals.

At a time of massive humanitarian need, Giving Tuesday is a time to show our solidarity with the most vulnerable members of the human family.  And at a time of growing divisiveness, today we reaffirm our common humanity.

I thank the businesses, non-governmental organizations, religious groups, schools and citizens that are working together to support people caught up in poverty or armed conflict.

Such steps are needed urgently to ease suffering today.  They also contribute to our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a future of peace and prosperity for all on a healthy planet.

I urge people across the world to advance the Sustainable Development Goals by giving back on Giving Tuesday.  When we give, everyone gains.