Institutional Investors Will Be Central to Unlocking Clean Energy Investments,

Secretary-General Tells First Global Investor Forum on Climate Change

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Global Investor Forum on Climate Change, in Hong Kong on 13 June:

I am pleased to send greetings to the first Global Investor Forum on Climate Change.

We need your engagement for two great and connected challenges.  We must advance sustainable development around the world and reduce the threat posed by climate change.

That means cutting greenhouse gas emissions, increasing efficiency and relying more on clean energy.  And it means providing sustainable energy for all.  For those with the vision to see beyond risk to opportunity, the rewards of aligning the needs of business and sustainability are great.

Investors are already busy opening new markets, facilitating new business models and supporting energy entrepreneurs in the developing world, where demand is greatest.  I urge you to use this Forum, and your collective influence, to recruit a growing alliance for sustainable change.

Next year, I will convene a high-level meeting of Government, business and civil society leaders in New York.  The goal is to catalyse action in key areas, including public and private climate finance, and to accelerate political momentum for a universal, legally binding climate agreement by 2015.

Institutional investors will have a central role to play in unlocking clean energy investments.  I count on your support and leadership.

I wish you a successful meeting, and I look forward to seeing some of you next year in New York.

Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record