Secretary-General's press encounter after Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, Mr. President [of the General Assembly] for joining this.

This is a momentous day.

Earlier this morning, His Holiness Pope Francis addressed UN staff and the General Assembly.

The Pope spoke movingly of our common humanity.

He emphasized our moral duty to provide for the poor and care for the planet.

Today, United Nations Member States have risen to this challenge by adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This is not an agenda for someone else.  It is a promise by world leaders to everyone, everywhere.

Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals will now guide us on a safer, more prosperous and equitable path.

These goals are a blueprint for a better future – a to-do list for people and planet. 

The goals emerged from the most inclusive process in United Nations history.  193 countries.  Thousands of non-governmental organizations and the private sector.  If we combine all the numbers it will be around 8.5 million people or organizations who have been surveyed on what kind of a world and what kind of a future they wanted to have. And they got the message.  And these ideas have been reflected in the Sustainable Development Agenda.  Millions of young people.

Now we must use the goals to transform the world.

We will do that through partnership and through commitment.

We must leave no-one behind.

We are the first generation that can end extreme poverty, inequality and injustice.

And we can be the last generation threatened by climate change.

Thus, we are the last generation who can act to deal with this climate change phenomenon.

Today, United Nations Member States have committed to a visionary agenda for a life of dignity and prosperity for all on a healthy planet.

Let us work together over the next 15 years to make their vision a reality for all people in all countries.

Thank you.