"Climate emergency requires urgent action and my country wants to play a part in this change", says Pedro Sánchez

New York (United States)

The Acting President of the Government was one of the main speakers in recognition of the leadership and commitment shown by Spain in the fight against climate change and he used the forum to outline the plans in this area by the Government of Spain.

In his speech, the Acting President of the Government underlined that "the climate and ecological emergency calls for urgent action", stressing that Spain wants to play a part in this change and this, he said, "is why I am here today". Pedro Sánchez presented Spain's specific commitments in this fight, taking a step forward with the Strategic Framework on Energy and Climate that he referred to as "our Green New Deal", the key element of which is the National Energy and Climate Plan, which was the most highly rated EU plan by the European Commission in terms of ambition, credibility and quality.

Pedro Sánchez highlighted that the Plan is the foundation for achieving a carbon neutral economy by 2050 that is socially just and inclusive. "We want to reach 2050 with a reduction in emissions in our economy as a whole of around 20% compared with 1990 levels", stressed Pedro Sánchez, who announced that the mobilisation of 236 billion euros is planned, with the creation of between 250,000 and 364,000 jobs associated with the ecological transition between 2021 and 2030.

Pedro Sánchez also underlined multilateralism as the most effective tool for reversing the effects of climate change - the basis for an ambitious global strategy shared by all countries to attain the goals set in Paris. In terms of specific measures, the Acting President of the Government called to include climate goals in investment portfolios.

Subsequently, the Acting President of the Government attended the inauguration of the Climate Action Summit called by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, the event at which the Government of Spain will present its initiatives on the just transition in the afternoon session.

On this first day in New York, Pedro Sánchez will also attend the official lunch for world leaders with representatives from the private sector, young people and civil society, which also includes the attendance of several Spanish business owners and company executives. This event, which is being held upon an initiative from António Guterres and the so-called Global Compact, gathers together corporations committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements to combat climate change.

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaWithin the framework of the Climate Summit, Pedro Sánchez greeted three young Spanish climate change activists: Alejandro Quecedo from SEO Birdlife, Claudia Reigosa from the Youth Council and Patricia Ramos from the NGO Plan International, who are taking part in the United Nations Youth Climate Summit.

The Acting President of the Government received a document with petitions from civil society on climate change and its impact on girls and young people from Patricia Ramos, who heads up the initiative 'Girls Get Equal', which includes the adoption of a gender focus in climate change policies that incorporates the needs, knowledge and realities of women and girls.

High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage

The Acting President of the Government co-chaired, together with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, one of the main panels at the High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, called by the President of the United Nations General Assembly, with the aim of making progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 on health and well-being.

A Final Declaration is expected to be signed at the end of the meeting to be the basis for global efforts in offering universal access to healthcare and quality health services. At this forum, Pedro Sánchez stated that health is a fundamental right and coverage is the best instrument to guarantee this, highlighting that universal health coverage is the great social equaliser, which lays the foundations for economic growth, social cohesion and equality.

Non official translation