Strategic Alliances on Water, Energy Issues Key for Sustainable Development, Secretary-General Tells European Environment Advisory Councils’ Conference

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the opening of the twenty-seventh Annual Conference of the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils, in Lisbon today:

I am pleased to greet your conference on “Partnerships for Sustainable Development”.

From the climate emergency to biodiversity loss to poverty, hunger and inequality, the world’s most pressing challenges can only be addressed if we work together.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we need communities, civil society, academia, the private sector and the international community to collaborate and contribute to their fullest potential.

Networks such as yours are critically positioned to build bridges on key issues such as water, energy, oceans and the accelerating impacts of climate change.  Your Conference is an opportunity to foster strategic alliances with lasting impact.

In that spirit, I wish you a fruitful meeting.

Thank you.  Obrigado.