Monthly Archives: December 2015

A New Era of Opportunity

Seventy years ago, the United Nations was created from the ashes of the Second World War.  Seven decades later, in Paris, nations have united in the face of another threat – the threat to life as we know it due to a rapidly warming planet. Governments have ushered in a new era of global cooperation on climate change – one of the most complex issues ever to confront humanity.  In doing so, they have significantly advanced efforts to uphold our Charter mandate to “save succeeding generations”. Continue reading →

Statement of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Jennifer Welsh, in response to the recent escalation of Islamophobia and manifestations of intolerance

The Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Jennifer Welsh, expressed grave concern at the outpouring of intolerance and hate speech in public discourse and in the media in recent weeks, which has focused particularly on Muslims. Continue reading →

UN-APCICT calls for strengthening human and institutional ICT capacity for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Recognizing the enabling role of ICT in achieving the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT) organized a Regional Dialogue on ICTD Capacity Building for Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Development and Annual Partners Meeting from 1 to 4 December in Incheon, Republic of Korea. The meeting examined how ICT can support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Continue reading →

Secretary-General’s press encounter – full transcript

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for this opportunity.

As you know, tonight I will fly back to Paris again to take part in the climate change conference.

I was very encouraged by what I saw and I heard during the opening days of COP21 – the Summit meeting. World leaders did precisely what they were meant to do: give strong impetus to the negotiations.

Almost all countries have submitted climate action plans, known as INDCs [Intended Nationally Determined Contributions].  Major economies have made significant commitments to cut emissions.  Many developed countries have made new financial commitments to help poor and vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts. Continue reading →