António Guterres

Greetings to all those taking part in the Istanbul Mediation Conference.  I am grateful to Turkey for hosting.
 
This year’s virtual gathering occurs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Meanwhile, we are also facing a pandemic of polarization and division.
 
Our world needs to come together and focus on our common enemy:  the virus.
 
That is why I appealed for a global ceasefire and urged all to help us intensify support for political processes and peace. 
 
Of course we have to do things differently in this new normal.

Around the world, despite decades of activism, and dozens of laws on equal pay, women still earn less than 80 cents for every dollar men do. For women with children, women of colour, women refugees and migrants, and women with disabilities, that figure is even lower. 

If you had told me this forty years ago, I would have been shocked. But according to the World Economic Forum, it will take 257 years to close this gap.

I am pleased to welcome you to this SDG Moment – the first in this crucial Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
 
Our aim is to show that transformation is possible and is happening right now – in so many places, with so many innovations – and with the engagement of so many people.
 
This annual SDG Moment is our opportunity to demonstrate that, as one united family of nations, we have what it takes to eradicate poverty and hunger, tackle climate change, deliver gender equality and achieve all 17 global goals.
 

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
 
I thank the Austrian government and Mr. Schwarzenegger for convening the Austrian World Summit.
 
Last year, I stood before you in Vienna.
 
Since then, much has changed.
 
But some things have not.
 
Economies have been thrown into reverse by the pandemic. 
 
But climate disruption has not.
 

I have been asked about the Secretary-General’s response to a recent letter from the Committee to Protect Journalists concerning recent restrictions on the press as well as the death of journalists while in detention.