Mr. Ashok Sridharan, Mayor of Bonn and newly elected President of ICLEI, Secretary-General Mr. Gino Van Begin, Distinguished mayors, Ladies and gentlemen,
 
You meet at a critical time.
 
Climate change continues to move faster than our efforts to address it.
 
Cities are growing rapidly.
 
More than half the world’s population is now urban, and that proportion is increasing.
 
Today, cities are at the forefront of climate action.
 
I urge you to set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Join communities of local leaders, share your experiences and commit to change.
 
Together let us bend the emissions curve downwards for a sustainable future for all.
 
I wish you a successful Congress.
 
Thank you.