Friends,

Our world is in trouble.

The COVID-19 pandemic is leading to a sudden rise in poverty and inequality. People everywhere are hurting, and global solidarity is in short supply.

We face a triple planetary emergency: the climate crisis, which is causing havoc in rich and poor countries alike; loss of biodiversity, as more than one million species face extinction; and pollution that kills some seven million people every year.

Conflicts continue in many parts of the world, fuelled by hate speech that spreads like wildfire on social media.

This is your reality; this is our reality.

But working together – each and every one of us – I believe we can put the world on to a better path. The Sustainable Development Goals are our North Star guiding us to a better future.

We urgently need international solidarity, decisive action from leaders, and the vision and drive of the world’s young people.

The Model United Nations programme is an important vehicle for building awareness and networks for change.

Thank you for your active engagement and for looking for solutions through consensus, by practising multinational cooperation.  

We know diplomacy is not always easy.

Just try getting 193 of your friends to agree on something! It’s difficult but not impossible! And it’s definitely worth it.

Thank you for joining with other young people around the world who take action every day to build a better future for all.

You inspire us with your efforts to enable everyone to thrive, by embracing the true value of diversity.

Thank you for working to keep the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that everyone, everywhere can live in dignity, prosperity and peace on a safe and healthy planet.
 
I wish you a successful Model United Nations.