Archbishop Gallagher: Multilateralism vital for saving the planet

In his statement addressed to United Nations members gathered in Stockholm to mark 50 years of global environmental action, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher quoted a bold appeal issued by Pope St. Paul VI in 1971 in which he warns that the exploitation of nature risks destroying it and that humanity would become the victim of this degradation.

Stockholm+50, taking place on 2 and 3 June in the Swedish capital,commemorates and celebrates the 1972 UN Conference that was instrumental in setting the world on one of the most crucial paths of our time as care for our common home becomes increasingly urgent and vital.

Archbishop Gallagher noted that the theme of the UN Conference is 'A Healthy Planet for the Prosperity of All - Our Responsibility. Our Opportunity' and offers ample scope for reflection.

Recalling Pope St. Paul VI's warning that the exploitation of nature would end up afflicting - if not destroying -humanity, he noted that back in 1971 the Pope had noted that 'Interdependence must be met by joint responsibility; common destiny by solidarity'.

The Vatican Secretary for Relations with States invited the Forum to pause and reflect on how we have - or have not - implemented the 26 principles contained a document that stemmed from that first historic meeting.

Those principles, he explained, in many ways foreshadowed the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing themes of economic and social development, in an integrated and holistic manner.

He reminded members of how the Holy See has consistently highlighted the need for greater efforts to protect the environment, which respect for the human dignity of all, and the recognition our common home and its care as a shared responsibility.

Referring inevitably to Pope Francis' Encyclical Laudato sì that so clearly points to the need for international cooperation and the action of the whole of civil society as we strive to care for the ecosystem of the entire earth, the Archbishop stressed the need of a 'conversation' which includes everyone, since the environmental challenges we are undergoing, concern and affect us all.'

That conversion, he concluded is possible thanks to an increased awareness of the need for us to act in unison, something that can only be facilitated by a healthy multilateralism in order to prepare a future for the whole human family.

'Fifty years on from Stockholm,' he concluded, 'it is our common responsibility to seize that multilateral conversation as an opportunity that leads to decisive action, recognizing that now is the time to act, urgently, courageously and responsibly.'