In progress at UNHQ

Environmental issues and sustainable development

10 June 2017

SG/SM/18565-ENV/DEV/1792

Aral Sea ‘Probably Biggest Ecological Catastrophe of Our Time’, Secretary-General Says, Stressing Need to Act Forcefully in Preventing Tragedy from Multiplying

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ statement following his visit to the Aral Sea, in Muynak, Uzbekistan, today:

6 June 2017

SG/SM/18555-SC/12857-ENV/DEV/1791

Amid Growing Water Scarcity, Transboundary Disputes, Investment in Reliable Access Crucial for Sustainable Peace, Secretary-General Tells Security Council

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council meeting on preventive diplomacy and transboundary water, in New York today:

1 June 2017

SG/SM/18548-ENV/DEV/1790-L/T/4458

Secretary-General Calls United States Decision to Withdraw from Paris Agreement on Climate Change ‘Major Disappointment’

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

30 May 2017

SG/SM/18543-ENV/DEV/1789

Secretary-General Pledges Higher Bar on Climate Action, Energy Efficiency, Stressing Dire Consequences of Failure to Embrace Green Economy

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message, as delivered, on “climate action: mobilizing the world” at New York University, in New York today:

22 May 2017

SG/SM/18527-ENV/DEV/1788

To Achieve Sustainable Development, We Must Reach More Vulnerable People, Secretary-General Tells Conference on 2030 Agenda for Fragile States

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Global Conference on the 2030 Agenda: A Road Map for Sustainable Development Goals in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, in Dili, Timor-Leste, today:

15 May 2017

SG/A/1732-BIO/4966-ENV/DEV/1787

Secretary-General Appoints Ovais Sarmad of India as Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ovais Sarmad of India as Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, at the Assistant Secretary-General level.

14 May 2017

DSG/SM/1057-ENV/DEV/1786

Stressing Link between Well-being, Climate Action, Deputy Secretary-General Urges Qatar to Ensure Sustainability of Vast Infrastructure Development

Following is UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed’s guest of honour statement at the seventeenth Doha Forum, in Qatar today:

5 May 2017

ENV/DEV/1785

Forum on Forests Approves ‘Omnibus’ Text Outlining Reporting, Financing of Sustainable Woodlands Management

The United Nations Forum on Forests approved its “omnibus” resolution today, outlining the broad contours for countries to report on sustainable woodlands management, financing for those efforts, expanded engagement with partners, and influencing high-level political discussions in the Economic and Social Council.

4 May 2017

ENV/DEV/1784

Forum on Forests Poised to Guide Investments in Woodland Areas for Building Sustainable, Resilient Societies, Speakers Say as Session Continues

The United Nations Forum on Forests was in a position to lead high-level discussions on how smart investments in woodland areas could reduce the risks of natural disaster, mitigate climate change and more broadly foster implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, speakers said today as they continued the policy body’s twelfth session.

3 May 2017

ENV/DEV/1783

Tree-Based Ecosystems Could Be Vital to Ending Hunger, Promoting Food Security, Improving Nutrition, Speakers Tell Forum on Forests

Tree-based ecosystems could play a vital role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 — on ending hunger, realizing food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture — participants said today, as the United Nations Forum on Forests continued its twelfth session.