2015 Year for Global Action: Ban Ki-moon (Lead)

Gandhinagar, Jan 11 (IANS) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Sunday said 2015 was crucial for global action on issues such as sustainable development, climate change and inclusive growth.

"This is the most important and crucial year for humanity," Ban Ki-moon said in his address at the seventh Vibrant Gujarat global investment summit here.

He said important decisions on global issues like climate change, sustainable development and inclusive growth were likely to be taken this year.

He called upon leaders of countries and the industrial and corporate sector to work in a way that these issues were addressed globally.

"We are living in a very young world where half of the population is young. We have to do much more for the youth," the UN chief said.

On his first visit to Gujarat, Ban Ki-moon said the state could also be a crossroad for a new era of sustainable development while it had long been a cultural crossover to the world.

"This dynamic state has long been a cultural crossover to the world. Today, it can also be a crossroad for a new era of sustainable development," Ban Ki-moon said at the three-day summit that began Sunday.

Invoking the importance of land of Mahatma Gandhi's birth, he said: "I hope all world leaders and businesses will be inspired by Gandhi's vision and teachings.

"Gujarat is a state where technology meets climate action, where entrepreneur meet clear energy, where young people meet job opportunities."

Delegates and members from over 100 countries are attending the summit.