In Davos, Ban urges global action in 2015 on development, gender equality, climate change

“2015 is a year of global action,” the Secretary-General said in remarks at the Forum’s plenary session on tackling climate, development and growth in 2015. “We are faced with multiple crises in this world - geopolitical, socio-economic and sustainable development. The year ahead must be a time for our strong commitment and global action.”

“With the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, with a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and a universal and meaningful climate change agreement by December this year in Paris, I think we can set our lives, our world, on course for a better future.”

Ban is currently in Davos to push the United Nations agenda for 2015 which is set to be a critical year for the Organization and its member States as they confront the imminent deadline for achievement of the landmark Millennium Development Goal (MDG), and work to achieve a meaningful global agreement at the end-of-year Paris climate conference.

In a separate MDG meeting with advocates also held today, the Secretary-General underscored the importance of delineating a credible sustainable development goal strategy to pick up where the MDG’s leave off, adding that Member States would need to devise “very robust, visionary, and ambitious targets” in order to finalize the Millennium targets stated hope of ending poverty.

“The most important priority is that these goals should be people-centred, planet sensitive and climate friendly,” he continued. “People should be at the centre of our vision. That’s what I'm asking you to continue to do,” he told delegates.

Against that backdrop, Ban also also emphasized that future gains would depend on making advances in achieving gender parity as he drew particular attention to the ongoing UN Women-led HeForShecampaign.

“The Millennium Development Goals recognized that gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential to tackling poverty, hunger and other global problems,” he explained.

“HeForShe has signed up fathers who want to raise empowered daughters. Leaders who know their societies will be stronger when there are as many women in parliament and in business as men. And ordinary people who are fed up with violence and discrimination against women – and want to be part of a global force for change.”

As the Secretary-General continued his programme throughout the day, business, entertainment and civil society leaders announced new commitments at the Forum to promote the successful adoption of a new UN sustainable development agenda this September and climate agreement in December. The Davos announcements followed the launch of major mobilization by civil society, “Action2015.”

Many of the new commitments were announced at an “Action in 2015" dinner hosted by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to launch global mobilization effort for the post-2015 sustainable development goals. Countries are presently negotiating a set of new goals that build on the successes of the MDGs in reducing poverty and improving people’s lives.

Amina Mohammed, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Post-2015, welcomed the mobilization initiatives, which she said respond to the UN chief’s call to action. “I am personally committed to ensuring that the best possible post-2015 outcome emerges in September and is then effectively delivered over the next 15 years.”

In Davos, plans were also launched for a series of Live Earth concerts to promote support for a climate agreement and a ‘celebrative concert’ in partnership with the UN at the launching of the goals.

Bono's ONE Campaign committed to promote the new goals, and the need to accelerate action on the MDGs, while Chris Martin of the band ColdPlay, and Will I Am of Black Eye Peas committed to help end poverty through music.

Other commitments to promote the new goals came from the Caterpillar Foundation and corporations, such as Unilever.