Combating climate change best antidote for poverty: UNGA president

Combating climate change is the best antidote for poverty, said United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces on Thursday.

"The impacts will also be felt in human health and wellbeing. Fighting climate change is the best antidote for poverty, to reduce the amount of children breathing polluted air, which is currently more than 93 percent at the moment, or to reduce the over 2 million climate-displaced people in 2018 alone," the UNGA president said.

She made the remarks at the High-level Meeting on climate and Sustainable Development for All, which was held at the UN headquarters in New York.

The sustainable energy sector alone could create about 18 million jobs. At the same time, "the cost of not taking action is 2 trillion U.S. dollars each year in productivity losses alone," she said.

"A comprehensive approach is essential to make progress in the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement," she added.

Noting that climate change is a challenge that must be addressed with "a cross-generational approach," Espinosa said that "it is a question of survival for all of us, without exception."

"Children, young people, adults, elders, we all inhabit the same home house, and therefore, we must preserve it working together," she stressed.

The UNGA president emphasized the role of young people, noting the role of young people as agents of change is essential.

"It is not only about preserving what we have today. It is about, above all, guaranteeing a safe and healthy life for future generations," she added.

Espinosa chaired the meeting, which was participated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on climate Change Patricia Espinosa, and some heads of government and state.

The objectives of the high-level meeting include highlighting the interlinkages between climate and economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development for present and future generations including the synergies between the climate agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.