United Arab Emirates

Today we launch a report that is critical to our global mission of leaving no one behind which is a main theme of the Sustainable Development Goals.

I am deeply grateful for the contributions of all the panel members, led by the co-chairs, Her Excellency Kristalina Georgieva, Vice President of the European Union, and His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah of Malaysia.

As this report points out, more than 120 million people live in constant distress, without jobs, food, water, shelter or health care.

Sustainable energy is the thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and our efforts to combat climate change.

So I am very happy to be here at the Future Energy Summit, as we celebrate last year’s landmark global agreements on the Sustainable Development Goals and on Climate Change in Paris.

The Paris Agreement is a triumph for people, the planet, and it is a triumph for multilateralism. For the first time, every country in the world pledged to curb their emissions, strengthen resilience and act internationally and domestically to address climate change.

What a dynamic day!

I am so inspired by the presentations at the World Future Energy Summit this morning.

We saw examples of sustainable solutions around the world. I was especially impressed by the young people, young scientists. For example:

A high school in New Zealand building solar energy panels.

An academy in Korea creating rooftop gardens.

Teenagers in Somalia working on a new biogas system.

One Somali young woman said: “This is where I will put the solar panels – and it is where my future begins.”

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,

Salaam Alaikum.

I am delighted to be back in Dubai. I am also very much pleased to be here with Her Royal Highness Princess Haya [bint Al Hussein]. She is the President [Chairperson] of the International Humanitarian City – thank you for your contribution.

It is a great honour and a pleasure to return to IRENA, and to see so many old friends and colleagues.

IRENA’s time has come. We are living in the age of renewable energy.

I thank you and congratulate you for the vision, dedication and hard work that have helped to bring the world to this point.

Since I was last here in 2012, what enormous changes we have seen.

Everyone involved in energy—governments, the private sector, investors and financial institutions, cities, and people everywhere–has understood that we can no longer burn our way to global prosperity.

I am delighted to attend this Government Summit 2015.

The United Arab Emirates has shown dynamism in modernizing government while preserving rich traditions.

I also applaud the Emirati Government for helping to advance progress on climate change and renewable energy.

Today I will speak about the pressing security and development challenges in our world. I will discuss how the United Nations is forging a global response. And I will highlight how capable governments – and a strong United Nations – can foster a more peaceful and sustainable future.