Konnichiwa! Ayubowan! Greetings from Sri Lanka!

Dear young people of Japan and the whole world.
As a longtime friend and admirer of Japan,
I am privileged to send you this message to mark Earth Youth Summit 2023.

The universally approved UN 2030 Agenda and 17 SDG,
recognize that sustainability is the major global challenge facing humanity.
At the 1992 Rio UN Earth Summit,
I first proposed Sustainomics and the sustainable development triangle
to harmonize economy, environment and society.
We need economic growth to help billions of poor,
while protecting the environment, and ensuring social justice, inclusion and empowerment.

It is shocking that in 2022, arms expenditures exceeded $2.5 trillion,
while nuclear war remains a great threat.
Only about 160 billion dollars is allocated for the poor,
although over one billion poor face starvation.
Yet, we already know integrated,
practical solutions that will simultaneously solve multiple problems
like poverty and inequality,environmental harm, sickness, hunger, and climate change.
We can build a more sustainable and conflict-free planet,
using Balanced Inclusive Green Growth (BIGG),
which truly harmonizes society, environment and economy.

We are all inter-connected on one planet.
We must unite to save the earth and ourselves.
Young people will lead us to BIGG and 21st century earth eco-civilization.
Let us ACT NOW, TOGETHER!

Arigatogozaimasu, Sthuthi, Thank you.

協力：公益財団法人　旭硝子財団
Cooperation:The Asahi Glass Foundation