“We must make fair and solidarity transitions a priority” underline thirteen heads of state and government, including Joe Biden, Olaf Soltz and Emmanuel Macron, in a text they co-signed on the occasion of the Paris Summit on the new global financial Pact. As they state, the main objectives are the fight against poverty and inequality, as well as the treatment of climate risks. The text published today Wednesday by the French newspaper Le Monde in collaboration with Project Syndicate is also co-signed by the heads of state and government of Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates etc.

“We want our system to do more for the planet. Today’s generations have the opportunity to usher in a new era of sustainable global economic growth through the transition to a zero-carbon world. We are convinced that ecological transitions that do not leave leaving no one behind can be an important factor in reducing poverty and supporting sustainable and inclusive development,” they say.

“We are convinced that reducing poverty and protecting the planet are complementary goals. We must prioritize just and inclusive transitions so that the poor and most vulnerable can fully benefit from them, without having to shoulder the their costs disproportionately (…) The transition will not take place without solidarity, without economic prospects or without sustainable development to finance it” the 13 leaders also point out, stressing that the Paris Summit is a decisive political moment. They also argue for debt relief measures for least developed countries and for increased development lending provided by the public and private financial sectors, while arguing that technology, skills, sustainability and public and private investment will are at the heart of their collaborations.

“We recognize, however, that to achieve our climate and development goals, including fighting hunger, poverty and adapting to climate change, we will need new and sustainable sources of innovative financing, the leaders say in their joint text. As part of the In our upcoming international negotiations and work, we will work to move forward with concrete actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, for people, for our well-being and for our planet,” the leaders concluded in their article.