Vice President of ECOSOC,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
I am pleased to introduce two reports of the Secretary-General that will inform your discussions today.
Allow me to begin with the key findings of the Secretary-General’s report E/2025/69 on this year’s theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”.
The report opens with a clear message: the world is at a crossroads. A convergence of crises threatens to reverse development gains – but science and innovation offer transformative possibility.
First, the report underscores the critical role of the science-policy interface in integrating scientific knowledge into policy-making.
It calls for a fundamental shift from linear thinking to dynamic, inclusive and transdisciplinary approaches and, integrating indigenous and local knowledge into decision-making. It highlights the need to build national and regional capacities, invest in digital infrastructure, and ensure equitable access to data and technology for all.
Second, the report offers tangible solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals under review this year.
For SDG 3, it emphasizes universal health coverage, resilient health systems, and digital health technologies. It highlights the One Health approach — linking human, animal and environmental well-being — and calls for data-driven strategies to reach those furthest behind.
On SDG 5 on gender equality, it calls for dismantling discriminatory laws, addressing gender-based violence and closing the digital gender divide.
On SDG 8, it urges investment in emerging sectors like the green and care economies, strengthening labour protections and expanding social protection systems. It also calls for eliminating child labour through integrated policy and financing frameworks.
Regarding SDG 14, the report echoes the outcomes of the recent Third UN Ocean Conference, urging actions to restore marine ecosystems, build a sustainable blue economy, and enhance international scientific collaboration to protect ocean health and biodiversity.
On SDG 17, amid shrinking development assistance and rising debt, the report urges bold reforms in global finance, innovative investment strategies and stronger multilateral cooperation – with science, technology and innovation at the core.
Finally, the report offers forward-looking recommendations, including:
• Strengthening national scientific institutions and advisory bodies;
• Promoting anticipatory planning and long-term thinking;
• Localizing solutions and engaging communities in decision-making; and
• Leveraging digital tools and multilateral networks.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Let me now turn to the Secretary-General’s report E/2025/68, entitled “Long-term impact of current trends on the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals”.
This report offers a timely and focused analysis of globalization and its implications for achieving the 2030 Agenda.
It asks a fundamental question: how is globalization being transformed? The report also explores its evolution, highlighting long-term benefits and new risks in an era of uncertainty, fragility, and fragmentation.
Over the past five decades, globalization has been driven by technology, market liberalization, and increased interconnectivity. Many developing and developed countries have seen gains in growth, employment, and poverty reduction.
Yet, the report notes that economic integration far outpaced the institutions and policies needed to cushion its negative impacts.
Today, globalization is at a crossroads. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Trade, tariffs, and reshoring strategies threaten to erode trust in multilateral cooperation. At the same time, crises, climate shocks, and conflicts expose the fragility of global supply chains and the need for collective resilience.
Despite these challenges, the report affirms the world needs more, not less, globalization. One that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable, governed by multilateral rules–and rooted in solidarity and collective action.
Furthermore, the report urges renewed cooperation to avoid fragmentation of the global economy and stresses that trade must be retooled to support the SDGs, particularly through green industrialization and fair rules for digital trade.
It also underscores the transformative potential and risks of the AI revolution. Over 90 per cent of AI investment is concentrated in a few countries. The report calls for urgent action to ensure developing countries can participate in and shape the digital future.
Going forward, the report underscores the need to fully implement the 2030 Agenda and other agreed frameworks vital to ensuring that globalization delivers for people and planet.
Excellencies,
Both reports stress that now is the time to reaffirm our commitment to collective action. The challenges are immense but so too is our capacity to overcome them through cooperation and shared purpose.
Let us answer this call, with a collective resolve to harness multilateralism to shape a more inclusive globalization, and to drive sustainable development to deliver for our people and our planet.
Thank you.