UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- President of the UN Economic and Social Council Mona Juul on Wednesday underscored the need for climate action at an event commemorating the International Day of Non-Violence.
Giving a keynote speech to "Climate Action: Gandhian Ways," Juul said "it is timely ... to frame our discussion with the issue of climate action," as the last five years are on track to be the five hottest years on record and young people all over the world have taken to the streets through nonviolent protest.
She stressed the current generation is the last that can prevent "irreversible climate change" and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the "overarching" guide for efforts toward it.
Recalling world leaders' over 100 announced accelerated actions at the Climate Action Summit last week, Juul said: "We are gearing up for a decade of action and delivery for sustainable development."
Praising Mahatma Gandhi as "the most action-oriented leader," she said the late Indian leader of nonviolent resistance drew the world's attention to "the gap between what we do and what we are capable of doing."
"We must go further and act faster," she urged, adding Gandhi's "perspective gives strength and meaning to the most important principle of the 2030 Agenda: leaving no one behind."
In June 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to designate Oct. 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, as the International Day of Non-Violence.
The resolution says the International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness."
