Africa

Friends,

It is wonderful to see so many of the strongest champions for climate action in the world. Thank you for honouring me with this gathering.

This is my last meeting at my last COP as Secretary-General. I wanted to spend it with you. You are the heart and soul of the climate movement. Together we have climbed many mountains. Of course there will be more to climb, but we can and will do so together. The view from the top will be spectacular.

It has been a privilege to spend the past decade with you fighting for climate action.

Good morning, salaam alekum and bonjour.

I have made climate change a priority since my first days in office. Over the past ten years, I have seen great progress in our common journey toward a low-emission, climate resilient future.

We have proved the power of multilateral cooperation.

The Paris Agreement is a successful, new model for meeting some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Climate action will advance progress across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We have seen the massive potential.

Ms. Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC,
Ms. Teresa Ribera Rodriguez, Chair of the Momentum for Change Advisory Panel,
Distinguished winners of the Momentum for Change Awards,
Ladies and gentlemen,
 
Thank you so much for the opportunity to be with you today. I especially thank UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa for hosting and supporting this wonderful initiative.
 
I have attended five Lighthouse Activity ceremonies in recent years, including at Paris.
 

Your Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco,
Distinguished heads of State and government,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and President Ali Bongo Ondimba, 
Excellencies, 
Members of the delegation of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and of the Gabonese Republic, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honour to join you to witness the signing of the special agreement on the border dispute between your two countries to be submitted to the International Court of Justice.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to begin my day with a meeting with the distinguished members of the media. Thank you for covering this very important meeting on climate change. 

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Nous avons parcouru un long chemin au cours de la décennie passée. Chaque pays a conscience que le changement climatique est une réalité. 

Les enjeux sont plus grands que jamais. Le moment est venu d’agir ensemble pour protéger notre planète avec une détermination plus grande encore.

A salaam alekum, bonjour, good afternoon!

Je remercie Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI et le Gouvernement du Maroc d’avoir réuni la COP22 à un moment aussi crucial. Merci de votre leadership.

This is a new dawn for global cooperation on climate change.

The Paris Agreement is one of the most complex and ambitious and far-reaching vision ever reached by the United Nations, by the international community. I thank all Heads of State and government who are present here for leadership and strong commitment for their vision.

Sixteen years ago, Nelson Mandela addressed the International AIDS Conference in Durban. He called it “a gathering of human beings concerned about turning around one of the greatest threats humankind has faced.”

Madiba brought his towering courage to this cause. He supported all people affected by HIV. He called for access to treatment, equity and human rights.

That was a turning point that led to remarkable global progress.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to be back in Nairobi once again on the occasion of the fourteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

As we all know, the region is once again experiencing threats of renewed fighting in South Sudan. Kenya continues to play a pivotal role. Its contribution to regional peace and stability remains crucial.