Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for the opening of the SDG Media Zone in New York today:
Welcome to the eightieth-first session of the United Nations General Assembly — and to the opening of the SDG Media Zone.
The Sustainable Development Goals are our rescue plan for a fairer and more sustainable world.
Yet progress is far off track. Peace is in retreat. Hunger and inequality persist. The climate crisis is accelerating. And the global financial system is failing developing countries.
But around the world, communities, young people and innovators are doing the work. Journalists are exposing problems — and bringing solutions into the story.
This space exists to widen the conversation, share what works and build the political and financial will to act.
So, use these days well. Spotlight the breakthroughs. Ask the hard questions. Amplify the voices too often unheard.
Let us make this General Assembly a turning point for the Goals — and for the billions of people counting on them.