Video Message
Dear colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am pleased to join you at the launch of the 2023 World Openness Report.
This report comes at a time when our world is facing unprecedented challenges.
At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the progress towards many SDGs has slowed or gone backwards.
The pandemic impacts, growing conflict, the unfolding climate emergency and increasing geopolitical tensions have all taken a toll on human well-being, especially the poor and vulnerable.
And looking forward, the prospects for economic growth look difficult and uncertain in many countries.
Trade has been an engine of growth over the last decades, helping diversify economies, transfer know-how, create jobs, reduce poverty, improve living standards and empower women.
But new trade restrictions nearly tripled between 2019 and 2022.
Excessively inward-looking policies may be tempting in the short-term, but end up making it harder to produce a better world for all.
The 2023 World Openness Report provides us a comprehensive assessment of the state of global openness in trade, finance, infrastructure, climate and policies.
The report underscores the need for rebuilding global solidarity, and creating new momentum for international trade, sustainable development and climate action.
I take this opportunity to highlight three key areas to rejuvenate multilateralism and expand openness.
First, we need to reaffirm commitment to strengthening a rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable, sustainable and transparent multilateral trading system.
Global trade governance must be strengthened to better address challenges posed by the new economic realities; and to better deliver on trade negotiations, improved transparency and effective dispute resolution.
Second, we need to reform the international financial architecture to accelerate investments in the SDGs.
The United Nations Secretary-General has put forward his SDG stimulus plan, outlining the transformations needed for multilateral development banks, other financial institutions and governments. The SDG Summit held last September in UN Headquarters endorsed the proposal in principle, including to mobilize at least 500 billion US dollars per year in affordable long-term financing for sustainable development and climate action.
Third, countries must collaborate to address the reality of climate change in a spirit of solidarity.
Developing countries must be supported in developing their green, equitable and resilient growth paths.
Developed countries must make good on their finance commitments, including the 100 billion US dollars promise for meaningful climate change mitigation actions.
Dear colleagues,
Global challenges require global solutions.
To achieve sustainable development, combat climate change, and promote peace and stability, international cooperation is a must.
I congratulate you on this important event and look forward to learning of the outcomes.
Thank you.