Climate change remains the foremost challenge facing humanity, and failure to address its effects will devastate current and future generations.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The international community cannot hope to advance sustainable development when some race ahead while others are left to struggle, in other words, no one should be left behind, Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan on Wednesday told the General Debate of the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
"Words are nothing without deeds and we have to act urgently, in unity, to make the necessary transition to a more sustainable future," said Ramkalawan, while climate change ravages the world and military expenditure rises as a threat to countries and nations.
Climate change remains the foremost challenge facing humanity, and failure to address its effects will devastate current and future generations, said the president.
"We are on the front lines of the climate crisis, which poses irreversible threats to our people, our economy, and our way of life," said the president. "Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the degradation of our oceans are stark reminders of the urgent need for global action on climate change."
Meanwhile, world military expenditure has increased for the 10th consecutive year, reaching 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. This makes even the highest estimates of the funds, 100 billion dollars needed for loss and damage, seem modest and insignificant, according to the president.
"It is time to move beyond discussion and implement real reforms in the international financial system to address the preclusion of some vulnerable countries, regardless of income status, from opportunities to meet development needs," he said.
"The multilateral system remains our best hope for addressing the challenges we face. As a small state, Seychelles believes in the United Nations, for we fear of a reality with no alternative," he added. ■