United Nations Partnerships with Private Sector on Clean Energy, Food Security, Vital for Achieving 2030 Agenda, Secretary-General Tells Concordia Summit

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Concordia Annual Summit, in New York today:

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to greet the Concordia Annual Summit.

Thank you for gathering during the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.  As leaders and partners in global problem solving, you know our world faces major threats — from the nuclear peril to global terrorism, from inequality to cybercrime.  Climate change, population growth, migration, rapid urbanization and other megatrends continue to challenge our societies.

No country can meet these tests alone.  But, together, we can chart a safer, more equitable course.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is our shared plan.  And I welcome your focus on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Partnerships will be crucial for success.  As you know from Concordia’s ties with the United Nations Global Compact initiative, the United Nations looks forward to working more closely with the private sector on clean energy, food security and an end to human trafficking and many other shared goals.

Progress also depends on a surge in diplomacy for peace.  Protracted conflicts undermine development, fuel terrorism and destabilizing entire regions.  Prevention must permeate everything we do.

The United Nations looks forward to your support as we work together to seize the transformational opportunities of our era.

I wish you a successful Summit.  Thank you.