UN DSG Video Message to The Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8)

I want to congratulate the Tunisian government for hosting and organizing TICAD8.

 It is a pleasure for me to be in Tunisia and I want to take the opportunity to express my unremitting support to the younger generations and especially for the brave young women of this beautiful country who are a force for change.

 This current summer has given us a glimpse of the catastrophic effects of the climate crisis: storms, floods, droughts, raging wildfires creating widespread suffering to people, especially the most vulnerable. Tunisia, unfortunately, is not exempted from the negative impacts of climate change.

 Just about a month ago, the UN General Assembly voted a historic resolution that declared access to clean and healthy environment a universal human right. I commend the Tunisian authorities for their vote in favour of this landmark resolution.

 But change happens on the ground, not in meeting rooms. So, I count on young Tunisian men and women for employing innovative solutions and mobilizing communities to accelerate the immediate actions need for a breakthrough on climate action.

 Your voices and ideas are all the more important. Young people are driving climate action globally and the United Nations is ready to elevate your voices and support governments in addressing this global emergency.

 The 2030 Agenda is the roadmap to achieving this mission and the SDGs are its compass.

Let’s rescue them together as they are our common agenda !

 Youth worldwide, including in Tunisia, holds an enormous power and the moral force to press for urgent action and leave no one behind.

 I wish everyone a productive and successful event.