Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 28 October 2022

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD CITIES DAY

31 October 2022

On this World Cities Day, we recognize the critical role of urban areas in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Next year marks the mid-point to the deadline to reach the SDGs.

Yet an honest look reveals a bleak picture.

Across a range of critical goals – from poverty and hunger to gender equality and education – we are not seeing progress, but backsliding.

The consequences are dramatic: escalating climate chaos, growing poverty, rising inequalities, and more.

We must change course – and we can.

This year’s theme of World Cities Day highlights how: ‘Act Local to Go Global.’

The goals are global in scope, but implementation is local.

And that means implementation happens largely in cities:

Today, more than half of all people live in urban areas – by 2050, over two-thirds will do so.

Cities generate over 80 per cent of global GDP – and account for over 70 per cent of carbon emissions.

Many cities are already leading the transition to renewable energy, setting credible net-zero targets and building climate-resilient infrastructure.

I encourage them to work with their governments and sister cities across the world to share experiences and help raise ambition.

The actions cities take locally to create a sustainable world will reverberate globally.

And the transformative policies they pioneer today can catalyze change that will save lives and livelihoods everywhere tomorrow.

On World Cities Day, let us resolve to work with cities to build a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world for all.

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THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS

2 November 2022

A free press is vital to a functioning democracy, exposing wrongdoing, navigating our complex world, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Yet, more than 70 journalists have been killed this year simply for fulfilling this role in society.  Most of these crimes go unsolved. Meanwhile, a record number of journalists are incarcerated today, while threats of imprisonment, violence, and death keep growing.

A surge in disinformation, online bullying and hate speech, particularly against women journalists, is contributing to the stifling of media workers around the world. Intimidation through the abuse of legal, financial and other means is undermining efforts to hold the powerful accountable. These trends threaten not only journalists, but society as a whole.

The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists aims to create a safe and free environment for all media workers.  As we mark its 10th anniversary, I call on governments and the international community take the necessary steps to protect our journalists.  We must end a common culture of impunity and enable journalists to do their essential work.

On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, let us honour our media workers, and stand up for truth, justice and human rights for all.

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