Director-General's remarks at the Opening of the 71st Session of the UNECE "Climate Action and Resilient Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future"

Opening of the 71st Session of the Economic Commission for Europe
“Climate Action and Resilient Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future”
Wednesday, 9 April 2025 at 10.00 a.m.
 Room XVII, Palais des Nations

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Palais des Nations for the seventy-first session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). 

I extend my gratitude to State Secretary Fasel and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, as well as to Executive Secretary Molcean and the UNECE Secretariat for their leadership in convening this important meeting under the theme “Climate Action and Resilient Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future”.

This theme reflects two urgent priorities that are inseparable from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the multilateral commitments enshrined in the Pact for the Future. The Pact calls for accelerated action to address climate change, while emphasizing resilient infrastructure as an important element of sustainable development.

The recent State of the Global Climate report, released by the World Meteorological Organization, leaves no room for ambiguity. Human-induced climate change has breached irreversible thresholds. The year 2024 was the warmest year in the 175-year observational record.^[1] Glaciers are retreating at unprecedented rates, oceans are acidifying, and extreme weather events are destabilizing communities worldwide. Yet, as the UN Secretary-General emphasized, the path to limiting long-term warming remains open – if we act decisively. 

In this context, multilateralism is not just necessary – it is indispensable. The Pact for the Future serves as a rallying point for rebuilding trust in international cooperation. Institutions like UNECE provide platforms for translating this vision into reality.

UNECE plays a critical role. Its standards and tools – from environmental impact assessments to transport decarbonization protocols – align with the Pact’s emphasis on scaling up sustainable infrastructure investments. By setting shared norms, UNECE enables countries to reduce risk, attract green finance, and foster cross-border cooperation. These efforts directly support the Pact’s commitment to climate-resilient infrastructure that safeguards communities and ecosystems. 

Meanwhile, UNOG plays an active role in sustaining multilateralism by facilitating dialogue and collaboration at the Palais des Nations. Hosting thousands of intergovernmental meetings annually, UNOG supports peacebuilding efforts and negotiations while ensuring that multilateralism remains inclusive and fit for purpose in addressing 21^st-century challenges. 

Here at the Palais des Nations, we have seen firsthand how infrastructure modernization can embody sustainability principles. The Strategic Heritage Plan – a comprehensive renovation of this historic building – has integrated energy efficiency measures and resilience considerations, all while preserving its cultural legacy. This project demonstrates how infrastructure investments can align with broader environmental and social objectives, offering valuable lessons for similar efforts worldwide. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Resilient infrastructure is not just about withstanding extreme weather events; it is about enabling communities to thrive, economies to grow, and inequalities to shrink. 

By working together, we can turn challenges into opportunities and build a sustainable future that leaves no one behind.

I wish you all productive discussions. 

Thank you.