30 October 2008: Speaking at the World Leaders Forum on
International Cooperation for Green Growth taking place on 30 October 2008, in
Seoul, Republic of Korea, UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro noted
that many of the current challenges are due to unsustainable development paths,
and highlighted the interlinkages among the food, energy and financial crises,
as well as global warming.

Migiro noted that the effects of what the
Secretary-General calls “the defining issue of our time” are already being felt
and that a “business-as-usual” economic growth scenario is unsustainable. She
called for climate stabilization to be the ultimate global public good and for
international cooperation at an “unprecedented level,” lead by the UN. She
emphasized the importance of reaching a new agreement in Copenhagen in December
2009 and urged developed countries to take the lead in ensuring that this goal
is achieved. She underlined that the UN system is “leading-by-example” in the
fight against climate change, for example through its climate neutral
initiative.
On the financial crisis, Mirigo stated that it should not be an
excuse “to do less for the cause of global climate stabilization,” and called
for seizing this opportunity to “take stock, refocus and mobilize investments
in clean technologies and natural infrastructure.” She listed examples of green
jobs creation worldwide, illustrating that it is possible to “spur sustainable
growth, combat climate change and trigger an employment boom.” She urged a
focus on green growth and invited Forum participants to join the UN in driving
international cooperation to have a successful climate agreement in 2009. She
underscored the need for: setting the right price for carbon; putting in place
long-term regulation and incentives for green growth; and ensuring adequate
global funding for a sustainable and green future.
To this end, she underlined
the importance for all of us “to play our respective parts” and for the
engagement of all stakeholders. [The Statement]