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City Hall participates in climate meeting with UN Secretary General
Published on 22/04/2021 - 15:12 | Updated on 23/04/2021 - 14:30
C40 Mayors Meeting with the UN Secretary-General - Press Release/City Hall The Municipal Secretary of Government and Public Integrity of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Calero, represented the City of Rio at the C40 Mayors' meeting with the UN Secretary-General to advance the carbon-free recovery and resilience. In the virtual meeting, in which the head of the United Nations, António Guterres, highlighted the role of cities in combating climate change and recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, Calero stated that Rio recognizes its role and responsibility in climate and development issues, since it hosted the two major UN conferences, Eco-92 and Rio+20 in 2012.
At the meeting, Calero highlighted the election of the city's Environment Secretary, Eduardo Cavaliere, as national coordinator of the Forum of Environment Secretaries of Brazilian Capitals – CB27. Secretary Cavaliere states that the City Hall will accelerate the implementation of plans that aim to make the city more adapted to climate change.
– The agenda of combating climate emergencies will be a priority for our administration. Rio’s return as an important global player in this agenda is already underway. In 2022, we will hold a major global meeting to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Rio-92. A resilient city is a city that is closer to the socio-environmental justice we want – says Cavaliere.
In his speech to the Major Cities Climate Leadership Group, Calero also spoke about the importance of creating green jobs and the City's commitment to including communities in sustainable development goals, in addition to reinforcing Rio's goals of achieving zero emissions by 2030 in one area of the city and encouraging active mobility.
– The main challenges for Rio in terms of sustainability, low-carbon development and even recovery from COVID-19 are related to the inequalities that the city faces. The formalization of economic sectors and the creation of green jobs are essential for the municipal government to directly support the most affected sectors – said the municipal secretary of Government and Public Integrity.
ABOUT THE C40
C40 is a network of global megacities committed to tackling climate change. Across the globe, the group connects 97 of the world’s largest cities to take bold climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. Mayor Eduardo Paes, who was unable to attend the meeting after testing positive for Covid-19, was the second president of C40, which, in addition to Rio de Janeiro, includes Paris, New York, Toronto, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Barcelona, London, Lisbon and Beijing among its members.
See below the Portuguese and English versions of the speech by the Municipal Secretary of Government and Public Integrity of Rio, Marcelo Calero, at the meeting of C40 Mayors with the UN Secretary-General
⮚ It is an honor to represent Mayor Eduardo Paes, who asked me to send his apologies for not being able to attend today’s meeting. Unfortunately, he tested positive for Covid-19 but is doing well. I thank C40 and Secretary General António Guterres for this opportunity.
⮚ Rio recognizes its role and responsibility in climate and development issues, as it hosted two major UN conferences, Eco-92 and Rio+20 in 2002. In addition, Mayor Eduardo Paes was the second president of C40.
⮚ The main challenges for Rio regarding sustainability, low-carbon and even recovery from Covid-19 are related to the inequalities that the city faces.
The formalization of economic sectors and the creation of green jobs are essential for the municipal government to directly support the most affected sectors.
⮚ Rio is fully committed to Deadline 2020 and the Race to Zero campaign, developing local actions to comply with the Paris Agreement, including programs that aim to involve communities in these targets.
⮚ Within the scope of Green and Healthy Streets, our goal is to achieve zero emissions by 2030 in a city area and encourage active mobility.
⮚ The City for Climate Program monitors GHG emissions and proposes, plans and integrates public policies aimed at low-carbon development, mitigation and adaptation.
⮚ Elected national coordinator of the Forum of Environment Secretaries of Brazilian Capitals – CB27, Rio assumes national leadership for strengthening and coordinated action, exchanging experiences and advancing climate agendas with a vision for the future.
⮚ On the road to COP26, it is important to consider that local governments require national commitment and international support to reduce inequalities. We could count on the United Nations system to address the socioeconomic drivers of vulnerability, enabling cities to address climate challenges and ensure shared prosperity.
⮚ Thank you very much.
Talking points
⮚ It is an honor to represent Mayor Eduardo Paes who asked me to send his apologies for not being able to make it for today`s meeting. He unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19, but he's fine. I am grateful to C40 and Secretary General António Guterres for this timely opportunity.
⮚ Rio acknowledges its role and responsibility in the issues of climate and development as it was host of two major UN conferences, the Eco-92 and the Rio+20 in 2002. In addition, Mayor Eduardo Paes was the second president of C40.
⮚ The main challenges for Rio in shaping a sustainable, low-carbon and inclusive recovery from Covid-19 are related to the inequalities the city faces.
⮚ The formalization of economic sectors and the creation of green jobs are paramount to allow the municipal government to directly support the most affected sectors.
⮚ Rio is fully committed to Deadline 2020 and the Race to Zero campaign, developing local actions to meet the Paris objectives, including programs which aim to engage communities on those targets.
⮚ In the scope of the Green and Healthy Streets pledge, we aim to achieve zero emissions by 2030 in an area of the city and encourage active mobility.
⮚ The “City for Climate Program” monitors GHG emissions and proposes, plans and integrates public policies towards low-carbon development, mitigation, and adaptation.
⮚ Elected as national coordinator of the Forum of Environmental Secretaries of the Brazilian State Capitals – CB27 –, Rio takes on a national leadership for the strengthening and coordinated action, exchange of experiences and advancement in forward-thinking climate agendas.
⮚ On the road to COP26, it is important to consider that local governments require national commitment and international support to reduce inequalities. We could count on the UN System to address the socio-economic drivers of vulnerability, enabling cities to tackle the climate challenges and secure shared prosperity.
⮚ Thank you very much.
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