Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us just how devastating a global, cross-border threat can be. Climate change and biodiversity loss are no different – in fact, they pose an even greater existential threat, to the extent that we have to put ourselves on what might be called a war-like footing.
Having myself had the opportunity of consulting many of you over these past eighteen months, I know you all carry a heavy burden on your shoulders and you do not need me to tell you that the eyes – and hopes – of the world are upon you to act with all despatch, and decisively – because time has run out.
