UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will deliver a video speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Sustainable Leaders Forum (GSLF) 2010, the organizing committee confirmed.

Ban has been deeply concerned about sustainable development since he took office and is dedicated to bringing the course of sustainable development to a deeper and wider level.

Related readings:  GSLF Agenda  GSLF Introduction

The four-day forum will be held in Beijing from Nov 22 to Nov 25, gathering 600 delegates from business, governments and NGOs, and 600 youth delegates from over 30 countries and regions covering six continents, to have a thorough discussion about low-carbon economy and sustainable development.

"Youth should be given a chance to take an active part in the decision-making on local, national and global levels," Ban said.

On Dec 18, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming the year commencing on Aug 12, 2010, as the International Year of Youth.