Now, here for his opening address let us welcome his
excellency Antonio Guterres, the
sect of the United Nations who
has placed climate action front
and center in his plan date.
Excellencies honored guests,
ladies and gentlemen and
gentlemen, this week global
leaders are gathering here in
New York to discuss their plans
and priorities for the future.
They will tell us their
countries intend to contribute
to a enter better more equal and
peace of worlds, and they
outlining their commitments to
implementing to all the
sustainment goals as we cross
the halfway point. But this
week does not belong to leaders
alone. Dear friends, this
weekend this house the
United Nations also belongs to
you it belongs to the women and
mend who are bringing the vision
of the sustainable development
goals to life year in and year
out in your communities and
countries.
countries. It belongs to the civil
society groups engaged across
every aspect of global
developments from education to
jobs and social protection to
environmental climate and agenda
justice. It belongs to the
young people joining us raising
their voices injustice,
inequality peace and the climate
cross. It belongs -- -- this
week belongs to the sign
activities and academics while
helping to ensure evidence is at
the heart of countries
decision-making. It belongs to
the private sector partners here
today. While finding new
innovative ways in their
countries not for the sake of
profits for the people and
planets. It belongs to the
innovators working tireless to
develop solution change rooted
in renewal sources of energy.
It belongs to the mayors, the
governors and local leaders
whose dedication to the people
they represent inspires us all.
And it belongs to the
women and girls fighting for a
seat at every table and standing
up for their rights including
the right to live without fear
of violence. These are at the
heart of the spotlight against
and I ask member states
additional and much-needed
investments to tackle this
age-old scourge.
age-old scourge. Dear friends the SDGs are
not about checking boxes. They
are about hopes, dreams, rights
and expectations of people in
the health and environmental
environments. These are writing
historic roles, holding global
divisions and putting our worlds
on a path to lasting peace. But
as we gather this weekend the
grows in trouble. Today only
15% of the targets are on track
with many going into reverse.
The SDGs need a global rescue
plan and the SDGs summit to be
for the moments for the
governments to come together
with complete and and progress
but we all need to step up. To
the civil society groups and
young people among us, I salute
your courage and conviction as
you fight for the SDGs. And I
know that through this that it
comes at the cost. That it
often comes at the risk to your
safety, your health your liberty
even your life.
I grew up in Portugal
under a dictatorship and did not
experience democracy until I was
24 years old. And I saw the
dictatorship oppressing not only
some citizen but also people in
the colonial role in Africa but
I also saw something more. I
saw the struggles of people
around the world to drive change
forward. So I urge you all to
keep going and to the members of
the business community of today,
I urge to see that sustainable
development is in effect the
best business plan of all. That
upholding human rights, putting
people before quick profits and
protect the planet and is a
process tater for all. To the
women and young people joining
us keep holding out for change
in your communities and fighting
for your rights and a place at
every table to the scientists,
academics and innovatives here
pushing the boundaries of human
knowledge and finding new ways
to serve all people so keep
going. To the local authorities
here, the SDGs will not be
rescued in New York. They will
be rescued in your communities
so continue listening to the
people in your communities and
embedding their news in their
developments. Dear friends
thank you all for lending your
hearts, minds, ideas and actions
to this essential mission.
Let's transform the worlds.
Let's bring more justice and
equality to our international
institutions. Let's rescue the
SDGs and fight for the better
future every person deserves.
Thank you.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Secretary-General.
I think I speak for all of us
when I say we hear you loud and
clear this is our mission. It's
our house and