Key UN forum closes with ‘enthusiasm, passion and high-energy’ to reach the SDGs |
“We have enhanced the basic program of [Economic and Social] Council (ECOSOC) and initiate concrete fundamental action to implement the decisions of the General Assembly” in the resolutions on strengthening the HLPF and ECOSOC, said the body’s president, Collen Kelapile.
Urgency and ambition
Although the COVID pandemic continues, “we are on the road to recovery and… looking ahead, beyond the current challenges and dreaded crises,” he said.
Reverse the negative effects of the pandemic on the ability to achieve ambitious people SDG; transformation of the socio-economic and financial system; address the effects of the war in Ukraine on food security and energy supply; and preventing climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, is “a call for us to work much harder to achieve“The ECOSOC President added.
We have the tools and the means, he reminded, but need to work “united together” as a “global family.”
Mr. Kelapile said the new Ministerial Statement, adopted by consensus, provides a “firm commitment to implement Agenda 2030 for sustainable development”.
Cover call
Sharing some of the key HLPF messages, he described today’s challenges as threats to the SDGs but also opportunities for renewed multilateral action and the search for innovative solutions.
And while the pandemic has exposed inequalities between and within countries, it has also highlighted the importance of universal health care coverage supported by appropriate health care systems – without it, “sustainable development is not possible”.
ECOSOC President talks about the need to bridging the financial gap by reforming international tax and debt architecture.
He also emphasized that education is “a human right and the common public good, not a privilege”, noting that coming Education Transformation Summit in September to solve the obstacles that stand in the way SDG-4.
Mr. Kelapile reminded that no country has achieved gender equality and that the needs of women and girls must be addressed “more comprehensively” to rebuild for the better, including eliminating violence against women. women and implement the national gender budget.
He then emphasized the importance of engaging local authorities to “comprehensively implement and evaluate Agenda 2030It also points out that equity and vaccine production in developing countries “is critical to economic recovery”.
Regarding the environment, the ECOSOC head emphasized that a “whole society” approach is needed to effectively tackle global deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, poverty alleviation, food insecurity and climate change. United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, showing that there is still room for comprehensive ocean action.
Foundation for optimism
“I am especially pleased that in this HLPF we have kicked off preparations for SDG Summit 2023 Mr. Kelapile said.
Pointing to the HLPF debates and the Ministerial Statement, he sees “strong grounds for optimism”.
The ECOSOC President concluded: “Let us all return to our countries encouraged and invigorated, to continue our efforts to recover from this pandemic and build back better through practice. implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs”, concluded the ECOSOC President.
‘Special Day’
“Today is a special day,” Liu Zhenmin, United Nations Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) said at the meeting, outlining how the morning session discussed ideas on how to improve multilateralism and make it more inclusive, networked, and effective. .
And the afternoon discussions looked in detail at the public health response to the pandemic; financing and debt forgiveness; and climate change and social protection, including labor rights and education.
“We have studied future scenarios to ensure sustainable development and what we can do now to make our future better…[and] sustainable development paths, long-term vision and scenarios”, said the head of DESA.
Unified ‘set out’
The forum has demonstrated that if we are well informed about the demographic, social and environmental changes that are taking place in the coming years, “we can anticipate them and make the changes happen.” necessary policy right now,” he commented.
Against this backdrop, he expressed pride to see that a Ministerial Statement was adopted to provide clear guidance on how to address future challenges.
“Our unity is detailed in the Ministerial Statement, and I congratulate you on this achievement. I’m glad that our strong commitment to accomplishing the goals we set in 2015 remains vibrant. This will accelerate our journey on our common path to recovery and recovery,” concluded Mr. Liu.
