In his message to the first Global Human Development Forum, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on government ministers and policymakers, business and civil society leaders, and young people, to cooperate to: transform the global economy; place all societies on a more just and equitable footing; and protect the resources and ecosystems on which the future depends.
22 March 2012: In a message to the first Global Human Development Forum, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that sustainable development recognizes that economic, social and environmental objectives are not competing goals that must be traded off against each other, but are interconnected objectives that are most effectively pursued together in a holistic manner.
In his message, Ban underscored that the outcome of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) should reflect this understanding, highlighting that the Forum can have a real impact on the Rio+20 outcome. He called on government ministers and policymakers, business and civil society leaders, and young people to cooperate to: “transform the global economy; place all societies on a more just and equitable footing; and protect the resources and ecosystems on which our shared future depends.” Ban underlined that “connecting the dots between these issues,” namely water, food and energy security, climate change, urbanization, poverty, inequality and the empowerment of women, “lies at the heart of sustainable development.”
The message was delivered on his behalf by the Associate Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Rebeca Grynspan. The Forum, which is taking place from 22-23 March 2012, in Istanbul, Turkey, is convened by UNDP and the Government of Turkey. [UN Press Release] [UN Secretary-General’s Message]