 Climate change is one of the greatest challenges humanity has been facing over the past few years. And we'll have to do something about it. And I'm glad that the younger generation is doing something about it. Today, more than ever, the issue of climate change is at the centre of global debates. For millions of years, life on Earth has thrived under cool and temperate conditions. However, temperatures are now gradually increasing. Since 1998, we have experienced eight of the warmest years ever recorded, with ice caps melting and species slowly disappearing worldwide. It is now imperative for future generations to get involved in solving this matter. And it all begins with us. This is the largest ever climate change demonstration in UK history. Climate change is happening and that we're the cause of it. Evidence of man-made global warming. I'm very much confident to see the level of commitment and knowledge that the youth is bringing in this topic. And therefore, it gives me real hope that the planet will be in very good hands when the time comes. Global warming is the increase of the Earth's average surface temperature, due to greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide trapping heat that would otherwise escape the planet. The melting of ice caps due to increased temperatures is just one example of how global warming is negatively affecting our environment. It's a major warning sign of what can occur with climate change as it affects every aspect of life on Earth. The number of polar bears is drastically reducing as their natural habitat is destroyed, while sea levels continue to rise threatening coastal regions. Breaking news! An historic storm is about to make landfall, Hurricane Sandy. Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger and the spread of diseases such as malaria are affected by climate change, posing serious threats to mankind. It is thus undeniable that climate change is one of the biggest issues that humanity is faced with today. Mr Ban Ki-moon has said that climate change is the greatest challenge that humanity is facing today. And therefore, there is a very strong commitment at the highest level. It's important for the younger generation to be engaged in it. And I'm very much confident that when the time comes, with the level of preparedness that I'm seeing here today, with the level of commitment that the younger generation has, that the planet will be in very good hands. But for that, you have to be committed. You have to continue to be working hard in communicating with all of you, the stakeholders, to make sure that when you believe in something, you continue to do it. And climate change is not an easy issue. But if it's tackled seriously by all stakeholders, we will be able to find solutions. Last year, International Telecommunication Union hosted its first ever Model United Nations conference, Firmune 2013. And today, we are back to tackle the issue of global warming. For the next three days, you will have a say in the issue of rising water levels, and you can come up with a solution to the negative effects of global warming on human health. Firmune 2014 is one of the only fully bilingual conferences in the world, and this year it has assembled over 600 remarkable participants globally in order to debate an increasingly serious topic. Welcome to Firmune 2014. Bienvenue à Firmune 2014. Avoid finding who is to be blamed for it, but just finding solutions. Let me repeat my advice to you. Just go and do it. We are Firmune 2014 and we can make a difference.