Kofi Annan ’s closing remarks at the Global Humanitarian Forum Annual Meeting
Ladies and gentlemen,
Can I start by thanking you all for your energy and commitment over the last two days?
We came together this year to highlight the human impact of climate change.
We have heard from nations across the world – from political leaders, from representatives of civil society and business. From the young leaders of tomorrow too.
The diversity of people and organisations who have contributed to our discussions underscores a fundamental truth about climate change – that it is a truly global problem and one whose impact is already being felt today.
For some nations and communities, these consequences are immediate and frightening.
We heard yesterday, in a speech which will have left a lasting impression, about what it means to be living on the front-line in the battle against climate change.
President Anote Tong of the Republic of Kiribati pointed out that his small island nation, like others around the world, is shrinking alarmingly as sea levels rise.
Recognising that homes and livelihoods are bound to disappear, President Tong’s government has put in place a process to manage an orderly migration.
We will, I am afraid, need many more such innovative responses – and urgently – if we are to manage the diverse challenges of climate change. We need action on two fronts: mitigation and adaptation.
This requires leadership, courage and resources.
Our discussions have also underlined that adaptation will require significant financial support.
This may be more easily secured if poorer nations can speak collectively about their climate change needs. I hope that the ongoing work of the Global Humanitarian Forum, and similar bodies, can provide a platform for solidarity on this issue.
We have also heard how people’s human rights – to clean water and sanitation, food and housing – are being undermined by climate change. Women and children are always the hardest hit.
We need urgent action to protect the world’s poor from the effects of climate change, but if there is one key message that I would like to come out of this conference it is that none of us is immune to its impact.
Everyone, and every country, has a responsibility. Yes, some may be more responsible than others, but we are all in this together. A failure to recognise that could be one of the costliest mistakes we ever make.
Ladies and gentlemen, we all understand the urgency of this challenge. It is truly time to stop talking and to take action.
But what should we do? Let me focus on three actions that have emerged from our discussions over the last two days
First, as individuals we must all play our part. As consumers, we have the power to make the right choices. We have the power to put pressure on manufacturers and companies by the decisions we take. But the private sector must also take the lead and become more sustainable. This will involve difficult decisions and, in some cases, significant sacrifices in terms of changing our production and consumption patterns. Nobody said that addressing climate change would be easy, but action is necessary.
Second, the Forum will be publishing the outcomes of this meeting. We hope that these findings, together with the Human Impact Report, will serve as an important point of reference for concerted action.
Ultimately, the most urgent action lies with world leaders. It is our leaders that have the responsibility and power to put in a place a new framework for reducing carbon emissions in Copenhagen this December.
The agreement they strike must be based on climate justice: it must be global, it must be fair and it must be binding. It must have at its heart the principle that pollution has a price and the polluter must pay. It must recognise that the world’s poorest are carrying the heaviest burden for a problem that they have done least to create.
It is up to each of us to ensure that our leaders do not squander this historic opportunity. We must keep building the pressure to secure urgent action at Copenhagen, and beyond. And let us remember that Copenhagen is a turning point and not an end in itself. The hard work will continue long after that when it comes to implementing the agreement.
Immediately after this meeting concludes, I will travel to Cannes, where, this Friday, we will launch a global campaign to mobilise people around the world to demand climate justice.
I am counting on all of you to support this campaign. I am counting on you to make your voices heard loud and clear.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to thank you again for all that you have contributed over the last few days.
It is true that we face a most daunting challenge. None of us should underestimate the difficult decisions that lie ahead.
But this should not be a cause for pessimism. On the contrary, I am confident that – together – we can meet the challenges that climate change presents.
As Felix, a young boy from Germany reminded us so powerfully last night, we owe it to the generations that follow us to succeed in this task.
-Ends-
