Climate Change

It is for me an enormous pleasure to start with this meeting on climate change my first official visit as Secretary-General to Pakistan. For more than ten years, as High Commissioner for Refugees, I came many times to Pakistan. And in those ten years, I developed a love affair with the Pakistani people and with Pakistan itself.

[Bilingual as delivered]

[Bilingual as delivered]

[English version; scroll down for bilingual as delivered version]

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
 
As you know, 2020 marks a milestone for the United Nations – our 75th anniversary.
 
Too often, governments and international institutions are viewed as places that talk – not as places that listen.
 
I want the United Nations, in this anniversary, essentially to listen – so we are marking our anniversary based on conversations in every corner of the world about the future we want and the United Nations we need. 
 
There is no doubt that people have much to say.
 

It is indeed a pleasure to be with you today, and thank you for your strong commitment to climate action. 
 
I welcome this opportunity to meet early in the New Year to discuss what we must do together in the pivotal year ahead.
 
We have a huge task ahead of us.
 
The United Nations system, including myself, remain thoroughly committed to helping Member States address the climate emergency and turn threat into opportunity. 
 

[All-English version; scroll down for bilingual, as delivered version]

Dear friends,
 
We are still losing the climate race.
 
On our current trajectory we are looking at a 3- to 4-degree temperature rise by the end of the century.
 
But we can choose another path. 
 
The path of climate action and well-being for people and planet. 
 
And this path is about people’s jobs, health, education, opportunities, and their future.
 
Today, millions of workers are on the front lines of climate impacts.
 
Many in sectors like tourism and agriculture are losing livelihoods.
 

Madame Chair,

Distinguished Delegates,

Good afternoon,

Tiempo de Actuar, or Time for Action is the theme of this COP. It is a fitting theme on many levels.

The calibre of action shown by Spain, Chile and UN Climate Change to deliver this COP seamlessly in a matter of weeks is truly remarkable.

It is a testament to the urgency of the job before us all. The scientific evidence presented in recent weeks has only heightened this urgency.

The world is getting hotter and more dangerous faster than we ever thought possible.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for being here in Madrid and for your commitment to climate action.

I thank the UN Global Compact, UNFCCC and UN Environment for convening this annual Caring for Climate High-level Meeting.

This is an important space in particular for business leaders to identify key ways to participate in the race to beat the climate emergency.