Mr President, Your Excellencies, Distinguished colleagues,
• As you can see, I’m not here on my own. Let me introduce you to Evi Vet, who is here to represent young people.
• We want to youth to be given a voice in environmental policy. This conference is about the future. Their future.
• It’s up to us to ensure that there is a future for young people. And that there are healthy prospects, for all.
• Passing on our planet in a better state to the next generations: let’s make thát our number one priority in everything we do.
• That’s the kind of solidarity that motivates me to take on the challenges we face.
• You’re all aware of those challenges: we’re all being confronted with the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change, while at the same time trying to achieve the sustainable development goals.
• Stockholm+50 is making the urgency clear.
• So thank you to the government of Sweden for hosting this special conference, together with Kenya.
• The Netherlands is calling for more ambition and action in two main areas:
1. The circular economy: sustainable production and consumption are key solutions in combating the triple crisis.
2. Water. Water is crucial to a better future, and we need more global action in this area. That’s why the Netherlands is co-hosting the UN 2023 Water Conference, together with Tajikistan.
• We have no time to lose.
• So let’s take action, let’s join forces and let’s give young people a voice! And on that note I’d like to give the floor to Evi Vet.