Excellencies,Co-chairs of GISD Alliance,Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
Today, we have witnessed a piece of United Nations history. The launch of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance by the Secretary-General, is a major milestone for the engagement of the private sector with the United Nations.
For the first time, the United Nations Secretary-General is convening such a distinguished group of global business leaders from all regions of the world.
The timing is significant.
We know we are falling short of mobilizing the necessary investments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. What, then, is needed to reverse these trends and to set us on the right path towards sustainable development? The answer is clear. We need decisive leadership from all actors and at all levels. This is where the spotlight will be set on the GISD Alliance.
I am very pleased with the level of commitment I have seen today from the GISD membership. The heads of some of the world’s largest asset owners and managers, banks, and technology companies, have agreed to be part of the solution.
The Joint Statement issued today by the GISD Alliance is an important first step. It builds on existing initiatives. It identifies some critical areas for action to advance above and beyond the status quo. But we need to move to implementation immediately. For example, to accelerate the necessary shift to a long-term approach to investments for sustainable development, the GISD Alliance should work on the development of long-term performance metrics and benchmarks.
Indeed, the GISD Alliance has set a specific focus on ensuring that more investments are channelled to the places and sectors most in need. Scalability of investment opportunities is essential. This can be achieved by pooling projects and by promoting innovative financing facilities and tools.
GISD Alliance Members have also agreed to take critical steps to align their businesses practices with sustainable development. This will entail aligning standards for sustainability reporting and impact measurement. Strengthening the quality of data and information relating to SDG investments and markets, will also be very important.
Excellencies,Distinguished participants,Ladies and gentlemen,
The objectives of this GISD Alliance are ambitious. But that is precisely what is needed considering the challenges ahead of us. I am looking forward to the first results of its work at the Financing for Development Forum and the SDG Investment Fair in April 2020.
In the meantime, I wish to encourage all Member States and other stakeholders to engage with the GISD Alliance as much as possible. We need to join forces and bring all relevant actors to the table to achieve our shared goals for people, planet and prosperity. My department, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, is ready to facilitate the performance of the GISD Alliance in mobilizing investment for sustainable development.
Before I conclude, please allow me to thank the Government of Sweden for its generous support to the GISD Alliance. I would also like to thank colleagues from the United Nations system agencies, the World Bank Group, and IFC, for their outstanding support to the launch of the GISD Alliance.
I thank you for your attention.
Today, we have witnessed a piece of United Nations history. The launch of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance by the Secretary-General, is a major milestone for the engagement of the private sector with the United Nations.
For the first time, the United Nations Secretary-General is convening such a distinguished group of global business leaders from all regions of the world.
The timing is significant.
We know we are falling short of mobilizing the necessary investments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. What, then, is needed to reverse these trends and to set us on the right path towards sustainable development? The answer is clear. We need decisive leadership from all actors and at all levels. This is where the spotlight will be set on the GISD Alliance.
I am very pleased with the level of commitment I have seen today from the GISD membership. The heads of some of the world’s largest asset owners and managers, banks, and technology companies, have agreed to be part of the solution.
The Joint Statement issued today by the GISD Alliance is an important first step. It builds on existing initiatives. It identifies some critical areas for action to advance above and beyond the status quo. But we need to move to implementation immediately. For example, to accelerate the necessary shift to a long-term approach to investments for sustainable development, the GISD Alliance should work on the development of long-term performance metrics and benchmarks.
Indeed, the GISD Alliance has set a specific focus on ensuring that more investments are channelled to the places and sectors most in need. Scalability of investment opportunities is essential. This can be achieved by pooling projects and by promoting innovative financing facilities and tools.
GISD Alliance Members have also agreed to take critical steps to align their businesses practices with sustainable development. This will entail aligning standards for sustainability reporting and impact measurement. Strengthening the quality of data and information relating to SDG investments and markets, will also be very important.
Excellencies,Distinguished participants,Ladies and gentlemen,
The objectives of this GISD Alliance are ambitious. But that is precisely what is needed considering the challenges ahead of us. I am looking forward to the first results of its work at the Financing for Development Forum and the SDG Investment Fair in April 2020.
In the meantime, I wish to encourage all Member States and other stakeholders to engage with the GISD Alliance as much as possible. We need to join forces and bring all relevant actors to the table to achieve our shared goals for people, planet and prosperity. My department, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, is ready to facilitate the performance of the GISD Alliance in mobilizing investment for sustainable development.
Before I conclude, please allow me to thank the Government of Sweden for its generous support to the GISD Alliance. I would also like to thank colleagues from the United Nations system agencies, the World Bank Group, and IFC, for their outstanding support to the launch of the GISD Alliance.
I thank you for your attention.
File date:
Wednesday, October 16, 2019