Speech by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 2 December 2020. Given at the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University, New York.


"We are facing a devastating pandemic, new heights of global heating, new lows of ecological degradation and new setbacks in our work towards global goals for more equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. To put it simply, the state of the planet is broken."



"Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century. It must be the top, top priority for everyone, everywhere."


"A sustainable economy driven by renewable energies will create new jobs, cleaner infrastructure and a resilient future. An inclusive world will help ensure that people can enjoy better health and the full respect of their human rights, and live with dignity on a healthy planet."



For the full text of the speech, see https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2020-12-02/address-columbia-university-the-state-of-the-planet


The video was originally posted on the UN's web tv, at http://webtv.un.org/watch/ant%C3%B3nio-guterres-un-secretary-general-on-the-state-of-the-planet/6213596409001/