Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a pleasure to see you following my visit to Germany to participate in the G-7 summit, and five Central Asian countries, and Geneva on the Yemen situation.

I wanted to say, first of all, that I very much welcome the papal encyclical released today by His Holiness Pope Francis. I issued an official statement this morning, but I just wanted to add my own voice in support of the papal encyclical.

I met, as you may remember, with Pope Francis in April in the Vatican.  We discussed the need for all humankind to come together to address climate change, one of the principal challenges facing the human community.

Pope Francis and I agree that climate change is a moral issue that requires collective urgent actions. It is an issue of social justice, human rights and fundamental ethics.

People everywhere share a responsibility to care for and protect our common home, our one and only planet Earth.

We must do far more to help the poorest and most vulnerable members of society, who are suffering most from climate impacts yet had least to do with causing the problem.

We must also show solidarity with generations that will follow ours, and bequeath to them a sustainable world.

I thank, deeply, Pope Francis for taking such a strong stand on the need for urgent global action.  His moral voice is part of a growing chorus of people from all faiths and all sectors of society speaking out for climate action.

I urge all governments to place the global common good above national interests and to adopt an ambitious, universal climate agreement in Paris this year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I just spoke to the Security Council about children and armed conflict.  As my latest report makes clear, last year was one of unprecedented challenges for children in conflict zones around the world. It is crucially important that we protect the world’s children.  As the report shows, that is a goal that we are failing to meet.

I am aware of the controversy surrounding the report. I want to express once again my full support for my Special Representative, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, and the excellent work that she and her team have done.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I hope you will understand my situation, that I have another urgent meeting where I have to participate now, so I will turn the floor over to my Special Representative, to handle any [questions].