Holy See's Permanent Observer addresses UN debate on sustainable development

Archbishop Christophe El Kassis, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, addressed a debate on sustainable development during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on October 12. He stated that care for creation is inseparable from care for the spiritual, moral, and cultural dimensions of the human person.

The archbishop explained that sustainable development must balance three interconnected pillars: social, economic, and environmental. He noted that while the primary goal is to eradicate all forms of poverty, efforts to achieve this cannot be isolated from humanity's cultural and spiritual needs.

Regarding the climate crisis, Archbishop El Kassis noted that climate change affects more than just the natural world. He said the crisis impacts food security, health, migration, livelihoods, and culture, sometimes leading to conflict. He emphasized that the climate crisis is linked to socio-economic challenges and that the responsibility to care for creation is shared.