Germany

I thank Chancellor Merkel and the German government and people for your warm welcome. 

I am pleased to be here to mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations with such a strong, reliable and innovative partner.   

And it is good to be here now.   

International cooperation has been tested this year like never before.   

Through decisive action, Chancellor Merkel and Germany helped show the world what global solidarity looks like.  

Thank you very much, Mr. President of the Bundestag Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, for the opportunity to speak here in the German Bundestag today.
Dear Federal President,
Dear Chancellor,
Dear President of the Federal Constitutional Court,
Dear Members of the Bundestag,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Excellencies, colleagues, friends,

The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest crisis of our age.

Just seven months since it was declared, over 1 million people have died, and tens of millions have been infected.

Cases are still rising, and new spikes and waves are occurring in places that had suppressed the virus for many months.

The indirect impact of the pandemic is wreaking havoc on societies and economies. Travel restrictions and lockdowns have resulted in the loss of 500 million jobs so far and are costing the global economy some $375 billion every month.

Hello to everyone taking part in the Frankfurt Book Fair -- and especially to those who are speaking up for climate. 

My name is Amina Mohammed and I am Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. 

We at the UN are inspired to see – and hear -- so many young people standing up and speaking up for the planet. And particularly those who are doing so in verse! 

The world faces a climate emergency and every one of us needs to play our part if we are to overcome this crisis and build a greener, fairer world.

We live in unprecedented times.
 
The climate emergency continues unabated.
 
Urban areas are ground zero.
 
They bear the brunt of climate-related disasters and are responsible for more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
 
As urban leaders, you are on the frontlines of the solutions.
 
We are seeing increasing commitments by you to adopt energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy and clean transport.
 
You know this makes sense for the health of your economy and your citizens.
 

It is a pleasure to greet this human rights festival.  As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic, I welcome your focus on the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
The virus has been a major setback to our efforts.  For the first time in 30 years, poverty is rising.  Human development indicators are declining.  Human rights and civic space are under assault.