Ban challenges world leaders to protect planet earth
UN Secretary General Ban Kii Moon has challenged world leaders to live up to their responsibility to future generations by protecting the beautiful planet Earth.
Ban who has attended all 10 UN Climate Change Conference commonly known as since assuming office is leaving the United Nations soon at the expiry of his tenure.
“This is my last COP as Secretary-General. I leave you with the hope that we will have the courage, tenacity and wisdom to live up to our responsibility to future generations by protecting our only home: this beautiful planet Earth,” he the remarks to the High-Level Segment of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Tuesday in Marrakech, Morocco.
Ban stated that he is confident his successor will continue to be a strong champion for the most vulnerable.
“They (vulnerable) did the least to create the climate crisis and should not suffer its worst effects. I call on developed countries to honour their commitment to mobilize climate finance – $100 billion by 2020 to help developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate vulnerability,” he said.
He described the meeting at Marrakesh as critical to protect the planet, safeguard the most vulnerable and drive shared prosperity.
He added that he has learned at least six lessons as UN Secretary General in his interaction with world leaders. First, multilateral solutions work, he said. “Acting together, countries achieve more than they ever could alone.”
Second, heads of State and government must lead, said Ban. “I have spoken with nearly every world leader about climate change. The more they understood, they more decisively they acted.”
Third, we need whole societies to engage. Fourth, the United Nations must continue to champion the science. Fourth, the United Nations must continue to champion the science. Fifth, we have to fund and expand solutions. Sixth, the United Nations must continue advancing the moral case for action.
Malawi is among the 197 countries at COP22 being in Marrakech, Morocco from 7-18 November 2016. Malawi is being led by the Chief Director in the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Environment Dr Yanira Mtupanyama who will join Heads of State and Government and other country delegation leaders in making statements in plenary during the high-level segment on Wednesday.
Some notable Heads of State and Government at the COP22 are President of Zambia Edgar Lungu, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Francis Holland of France.
