7 June 2013: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the Denver Forum, a public forum on democracy in Denver, Colorado, US, sharing his latest views and plans for climate change negotiations and the post-2015 development agenda.

Speaking on 7 June 2013, Ban described his visit to the nearby National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), where he heard “sobering, compelling evidence of our warming planet,” and stressed the need for a global legally binding climate change agreement by 2015. He added that he will convene a “climate summit next year to generate political momentum.”

He also addressed sustainable development, which he said does not mean only cutting pollution and preserving ecosystems, but also fairness and opportunity. In this regard he highlighted access to electricity and the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative. Ban said, “sustainable development must be at the core of a global strategy for the coming years that builds on the success of the Millennium Development Goals” (MDGs).

Once the MDGs expire in 2015, “we need new goals – sustainable development goals – and a clear post-2015 agenda that will take care of unfinished business, apply to all countries, and end extreme poverty once and for all.” [Statement of UN Secretary-General]