Letter to ARC faith representatives from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

	HE Ban Ki-moon with HRH Prince Philip learning about faith long term environment plans at the groundbreaking ARC Windsor event in 2009

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has sent a powerful letter of support to the faith representatives at the UN-ARC Faith in the Future event in Bristol this month. The event deals specifically with the role and opportunities of religions in supporting the new UN Sustainable Development Goals. ARC first worked directly with His Excellency Ban Ki-moon in 2009, when he attended our groundbreaking Windsor Castle event that November. At that event he pledged explicitly for the United Nations to work with, and take seriously, the role of world religions in making the world a better, more sustainable place.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

	"The United Nations will continue to count on faith leaders and communities to stay engaged as we strive to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals worldwide, protect human rights and build lives of dignity for all."

MESSAGE TO FAITH REPRESENTATIVES MEETING ON FAITH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Bristol, United Kingdom 7-10 September 2015

"You have come together at an historic moment as the world prepares to adopt a new sustainable development agenda aimed at leaving no one behind.

Later this month, His Holiness Pope Francis will address the United Nations General Assembly in New York, adding his voice to our shared efforts to place people and planet on a safer, more equitable and more sustainable path.

I was privileged to attend the ‘Many Heavens, One Earth’ event at Windsor Castle, hosted by the Duke of Edinburgh in 2009, and I am encouraged to know that your work continues to build on the progress made at that gathering.

	Bristol UN Faith in the Future event, November 2015

The United Nations attaches great importance to the role of faith leaders in addressing the critical needs of humanity.

Faith leaders are well placed to build bridges of understanding and cooperation. They provide vital relief, health and education to their communities, and ensure the inclusion of otherwise excluded and neglected groups and communities. Such contributions are especially important at time when strong global leadership is required to solve escalating humanitarian challenges, including the current international refugee crisis.

	Some of the faith leaders arriving at Windsor Castle to pledge their long term environment plans in 2009

The United Nations will continue to count on faith leaders and communities to stay engaged as we strive to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals worldwide, protect human rights and build lives of dignity for all.

Please accept my best wishes for a successful meeting."