Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, the ECOSOC High-level Segment has two sessions.
The first, this morning, is on “Strengthening UN system institutions for resilient sustainable development”.
The second entitled “Overcoming ‘short-termism’ to secure a better future”, will be convened this afternoon.
These two sessions are informed by two complementary reports of the Secretary-General.
I would like to briefly introduce these to you and highlight their key messages.
Excellencies,
The first report of the Secretary-General, (E/2023/78), focuses on this year’s ECOSOC and HLPF theme: “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
The report offers seven main messages on the theme:
First, countries need to accord high priority to strengthening the social contract in society by setting ambitious national benchmarks to reduce poverty and inequality, including gender inequality.
Second, countries need to step up their efforts to combat the threat of climate change. This will require increased investment in clean energy infrastructure and renewable energy sources.
Third, developing countries need to increase investment in education and skills development of young people entering the labour market. At the same time, they need to advance economic and structural reforms, to enable their economies to attract foreign direct investment and technological diffusion.
Fourth, closing the gender gap in the labour market can become a major driver of higher economic growth and output in all countries, including those facing an ageing population.
Fifth, a strong commitment to multilateral debt relief and development cooperation is critical to restoring the fiscal space of many developing countries in the aftermath of the pandemic and other crises.
Long-term strengthening of the international financing architecture must accompany this shift.
Sixth, countries need to further capitalize on the enormous benefits offered by the digital revolution, including by investing in individual and infrastructural capacities required to leverage new digital technologies.
And finally, seventh, there is an urgent need to further strengthen multilateral cooperation as part of our common strategy to accelerate the recovery and the full implementation of the SDGs.
Excellencies,
The second report of the Secretary-General, (E/2023/89), is entitled “Long-term future trends and scenarios - impacts on the realization of the SDGs”.
The report looks beyond current crises and emergencies to reflect on long-term trends and scenarios impacting the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement.
Digitalisation, in particular, is a force across all sectors and countries, promising new opportunities for leapfrogging. Yet, 3 billion people remain excluded from these benefits due to lack of basic Internet connectivity, technology, skills, and access. As technology advances, the gaps grow wider.
However, the report informs us that scientific and technological breakthroughs could become “game-changers” that place the SDGs and agreed climate targets within reach.
To make these new possibilities work for everyone, the world must adopt the right policies and step-up investments, research and the sharing of technology, with sustainable development as the ultimate objective.
Among the highlighted policy pathways are a focus on a more global approach to research and development, quick and decisive climate action that focuses on decarbonization and a just transition to sustainable energy systems.
Emphasis is also placed on improving eco-efficiencies in production and consumption and driving transformation to more sustainable land and food systems, including through support to healthier consumption patterns.
Finally, the report highlights the need for an unprecedented level of global cooperation not just at the policy level, but in the form of technological and financial support.
We need development strategies at all levels, that integrate priorities across sectors and aim to achieve decent living standards for all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In just a few weeks, Heads of State and Government will meet here for the 2023 SDG Summit marking the halfway point between the adoption in 2015 of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, and the target date in the year 2030.
Let us come together with ambition, resolve and solidarity, to achieve the SDGs and take action for long-term sustainable development.
Let us do everything in our power to change course, regain lost ground, and build solid progress for the future.
I thank you.