Monday 30 December 2019

UN Secretary General urges youth to speak out over climate change

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his New Year's message that as the world enters 2020 with "uncertainty and insecurity" all around, the world's young people are its greatest source of hope.

Guterres noted that "We cannot afford to be the generation that fiddled while the planet burned." Adding that the world is facing many challenges with persistent inequality and rising hatred, and said it is "a world at war and a warming planet."

The hope he said, comes from young people who are rightly demanding a role in shaping the future. "From climate action to gender equality to social justice and human rights, your generation is on the frontlines and in the headlines. I am inspired by your passion and determination," he added. "I am with you."

He pointed out that 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the Organization and said that “we are launching a Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our blueprint for a fair globalization”.