©UN Photo/Debebe
UN GA President urges Governments to reach agreement on climate and lays out plans for 2016
The President of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, spoke at the opening of the High-Level Segment of COP21 on Monday, 7 December, together with the President of COP 21 Mr. Laurent Fabius, the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the Executive Secretary of UNFCCC Ms. Christiana Figueres and the Chair of IPCC Mr. Hoesung Lee.
“We all know we are closing in on a moment of immense historical importance,” Mr Lykketoft told parties. “A moment where we, the international community, finally decide on the future we want for our world.
“Fail, and we fail each other; millions of the world’s most vulnerable people; future generations; and the planet upon which our survival depends. Succeed, however, we succeed together based on our shared humanity.”
The President envisaged the need for action from everyone in order to implement the Climate Goals together with the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Deliver this political agreement and you will set in train a succession of collaboratory climate actions right across the world; actions which will also contribute to reaching the overall Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. “Actions from young people, faith leaders, civil society and community organizations such as those who fight for environmental justice on a daily basis and who marched in their hundreds of thousands only one week ago around the world.”
As part of the follow through from Paris and COP21, the President said he will organize a major High Level Event from 11-12 April with focus on gearing up to realize the Sustainable Development Goals.
“It will discuss steps governments are taking to kick start implementation,” he said. “It will be an opportunity to catalyze action on key issues such as finance, data, technology and partnerships with leaders from private business and civil society.
“It will provide a platform for new initiatives and, building on the outcome of this conference, it will look to how climate action can support the overall SDG implementation,” he added.