Quotes That Defined the UN General Assembly in 2023

UNGA 78 offered us precious time to reflect, learn, see what others see, and contemplate how we can work together to solve the wicked problems confounding us now and threatening future generations.

From cross-cutting dialogues at UN HQ to grassroots protests on the streets of Manhattan, we heard from people of all backgrounds and beliefs about why global solidarity and sustainability matter more now than ever.

One message in particular rang loud and clear: Time is running out.

As a lifelong environmentalist, I was energized by the cheeky signs at the March to End Fossil Fuels: “Science not Silence,” “What if Climate Change isn’t Real and We’re Creating a Better World for Nothing?,” “We Don’t Have Time,” and finally, “The Climate is Changing; Why Aren’t We?” I was eager to see UNGA raise the bar for climate action and ambition and glad to see blunt statements from no-nonsense leaders who tell it like it is and aren’t backing down from this fight. The Secretary-General’s conclusion at the Climate Ambition Summit simply and elegantly summed up the task at hand: “Scale up. Bring together all those that you can bring together with you. Go for it. Take no prisoners.”

Throughout the week, I was heartened by the voices of young people who face a steep and uncertain climb on their journey to a more sustainable future — and I hope the growing collective of intergenerational voices at UNGA offered fuel and fortitude for the tough moments to come, when they might give up hope and consider turning back because the path ahead is simply too difficult.

Reflecting on some of the words of the assembled leaders, I find the bright promise of a more sustainable and resilient future. Our prospects for a more peaceful, just, and equitable world are strong. There are big challenges and many obstacles ahead, but UNGA effectively, thoughtfully, and boldly challenged us to do more — faster. It’s time to lean into those challenges. Take no prisoners.

— Climate activist Saad Amer, during the International Peace Day youth observance at the UN demanding action for peace and the SDGs through poetry, music, photography, fashion, gaming, and activism

— UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at this year’s SDG Summit, where world leaders adopted a declaration to accelerate action on the Global Goals at a crucial halfway point for the 2030 Agenda

— Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the Climate Ambition Summit, calling out the absurdity of climate inaction from the transportation, fossil fuel, and financial sectors given decades of insider, industry knowledge on global warming’s devastating impact, as well as their outsized roles in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions

— South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, declaring his support at a High-Level Meeting on financing for development for the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, a new global framework that seeks to align financing flows and policies with economic, social, and environmental priorities

— U.S. President Joe Biden, addressing world leaders during the annual debate at the UN General Assembly, explaining his Administration’s renewed support for multilateral cooperation and international institutions such as the UN

— UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, delivering the remarks of UN Secretary-General António Guterres at a High-Level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, saying the global reaction to COVID-19 was both “a story of human ingenuity and human failure” and warning world leaders to avoid making the same mistakes during the next major outbreak

— Slovenia President Nataša Pirc Musar, spotlighting gender equality as one of four key issues for the international community to prioritize, along with climate change, Security Council reform, and artificial intelligence, during one of the few speeches by a woman head of state at this year’s General Debate

— UN Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Cousens, during SDG Action Weekend at the Civil Society Dialogue on enhancing advocacy, financing, and accountability toward the Global Goals