ISLAMABAD, Feb. 16 -- The climate change is the gravest and most urgent obstacle to the global stability and prosperity, and greater joint efforts made by every country and every community in the world are necessary to deal with the crisis, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said here on Sunday.
Making a special talk on sustainable development and climate change, Guterres said the climate disruption presents a clear danger worldwide including the locust attack that Pakistan and other countries are suffering. "Global warming is leading to global swarming."
"The planet is burning, but too many decision-makers continue to fiddle," he said, adding that the global momentum for tackling the climate crisis has unfortunately stalled since the 2017 Paris Agreement.
"It is something I am convinced we can tackle if only we can generate the political will and the unity we need to make a difference," the UN chief said, adding that at the climate change conference to be held in Glasgow, governments must deliver the transformational change the world needs and people demand with much stronger ambition.
Besides environmental protection, Guterres also urged the world to step up action to achieve other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which cover the whole spectrum of human progress including healthcare, gender equality, poverty alleviation.
The SDGs are relevant to every nation and every community, and no country can say it has no inequality or problems related to pollution or climate change, he said.
"Today's challenges to sustainable development and human progress do not respect borders. They are not confined to individual nations."
The UN chief also lauded the measures Pakistan has taken in terms of healthcare, poverty alleviation and environmental protection, but said whether in Pakistan or elsewhere, the pace of change is not yet fast enough.
"In fact, by some estimates, we will only get halfway to our goals at the current pace," he said. Everyone can and must make a contribution to facilitate the process toward achieving the SDGs and collaborative actions across borders and sectors are required, he said.
"We are in the battle for our lives. Our sustainable future is at stake, but I firmly believe it is a battle that can be won," Guterres said.
The UN chief arrived in Pakistan early Sunday. During his visit in the country from Feb. 16-19, he will also attend an international conference on Afghan refugees and hold talks with Pakistani leaders.
体坛英语资讯:Stekelenburg agrees contract with AS Roma
体坛英语资讯:Seven-year-old boy signs up for Real Madrid soccer team
国内英语资讯:DPP decision on U.S. agricultural imports politically motivated: mainland spokesperson
体坛英语资讯:Beckham, Henry ready to lead MLS All Stars
体坛英语资讯:Dutch satisfied with World Cup qualification draw
体坛英语资讯:Inter coach Gasperini confident of beating AC Milan in Italian Super Cup
体坛英语资讯:Chinese badminton to face tough challenge en route to London 2017
体坛英语资讯:Russia dominates finswimming world championships
国内英语资讯:Chinas top legislator stresses soil protection
体坛英语资讯:Spain books last-eight berth at FINA worlds
体坛英语资讯:Bob Bradley Out as US Soccer Coach
体坛英语资讯:Charl climbs to ninth in world rankings
体坛英语资讯:Uruguay beat Paraguay to win Copa America
体坛英语资讯:Hollywood stars outshine Australian theatre awards
体坛英语资讯:Suarez voted Player of Tournament at Copa America
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid comes back to China after six years
国内英语资讯:No factual basis to blame China for ones own ineffective response to COVID-19: Chinese FM
体坛英语资讯:Widespread demonstrations mark World Cup draw
体坛英语资讯:Yi Jianlian to play Stankovic Cup but for limited minutes
体坛英语资讯:Last-four berths fixed, China finish 15th
体坛英语资讯:One year to go, Rogge invites worlds athletes to London Olympics
国内英语资讯:Xi Focus: Xi stresses building new modern socialist Tibet
国内英语资讯:China slams ideological prejudice tag on non-U.S. companies
国内英语资讯:Vice Premier Hu Chunhua urges sound preparation for intl services trade fair
国内英语资讯:China sets up committee for written works copyright protection
国内英语资讯:China urges U.S. to stop making waves in South China Sea
体坛英语资讯:Tiger Woods Back in Action After Nearly 3 Months
国内英语资讯:China, France vow to uphold multilateralism
体坛英语资讯:NFL, players agree to new collective bargaining agreement
体坛英语资讯:Jamaican double at Budapest athletics grand prix