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.  
 

It is a pleasure to greet this second High-Level Meeting on Action for Peacekeeping in Berlin.  
 
Thanks to your efforts, we have seen unprecedented political consensus and significant achievements in implementing this initiative. 

We are reinforcing the security and performance of our peacekeepers and building greater capacity to improve the protection of civilians. We are also promoting full participation of women in peace processes, strengthening partnerships with regional organizations and other partners, and reinforcing our conduct and discipline.  

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Chancellor Merkel and the German Government for convening this conference.

Dear Chancellor, your consistent, continuous and I would say enthusiastic commitment to support all the efforts to bring peace and stability to Libya are absolutely remarkable and as Secretary-General of the United Nations I want to express my very deep appreciation and gratitude.

Chancellor Merkel,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are here for an urgent and pressing reason: to stop Libya’s downward spiral.

I thank Chancellor Merkel for bringing us together to support efforts to end the conflict in Libya.

I am grateful to the Federal Republic of Germany for this important initiative – and I welcome the presence today of such a large number of distinguished Heads of State and Government.