Mr. President of ECOSOC,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have had very rich discussions during this last day of the 2021 ECOSOC High-level Segment. We looked back at 75 years of work of ECOSOC. And we looked far ahead at future trends and scenarios. From both perspectives, it is clear that the 2030 Agenda has kept all its power as a ground-breaking and inclusive promise to eradicate poverty, and achieve a better future for all on a healthy planet.
A strong message today – and throughout the high-level political forum on sustainable development – has been that the 2030 Agenda is our roadmap for recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our experience with the pandemic has underlined what is needed to ensure the success of our collective journey to 2030. That is, our implementation efforts must embrace international solidarity, equality, and inclusivity among all people.
We need to ensure that all countries and people have access to life saving vaccines.
We need a global plan for all countries to recover together from the pandemic, and for putting the poorest countries on the path to achieve the SDGs. This involves mobilizing financial resources, and sharing knowledge and technologies.
We also need to provide a voice and a legitimate platform for the poorest and most vulnerable countries, and for most marginalized and excluded communities and individuals. We must heed their call for a fair and equal access to public services and opportunities.
Indeed, success will be measured in how well we live up to the commitment to leave no one behind.
The Economic and Social Council can, and should, play an integral role in addressing and supporting this endeavour.
ECOSOC is a platform to reflect on the deep structural reforms we need to undertake in our social, economic and financial system – to address the weaknesses revealed by the pandemic.
ECOSOC’s Forums on Financing for Development, and on Science, Technology and Innovation, launched new commitments and new initiatives for international cooperation and national action.
ECOSOC has sent a strong message that the interconnected challenges we are facing today, demand reinvigorated international solidarity. Greater collective efforts are needed to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.
ECOSOC mobilizes and guides the UN system in supporting countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda. And, now, in responding to the pandemic.
ECOSOC engages all parts of society, including young people, who form part of the key to the success of the 2030 Agenda.
ECOSOC harnesses partnerships.
It was heartening this morning to hear the strong commitment of Member States to strengthen and fully use ECOSOC.
The General Assembly has put us on this path, by deciding on innovative reforms last June. We must now implement them.
Distinguished Delegates,
This afternoon, ECOSOC also reminded us that we must shape our response to COVID-19, through the lens and scenarios of how to shape a better world in the next 10, 20 and 30 years.
We heard about policies for:
- responding to COVID-19,
- overcoming the pandemic’s negative impacts on the SDGs, and
- accelerating progress to achieve the SDGs and realize the 2030 Agenda.
We heard of many actions for mobilizing innovations to reduce inequalities and bridge the digital divide.
We heard about the application of new technologies that have potential positive, long-term impacts for achieving the SDGs.
And we heard about scenarios for achieving the SDGs by 2030, despite the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let us work together to ensure the best-case scenario for the world and for everyone, leaving no one behind. As we move forward, let us continue to find creative and effective solutions.
Let us build on our commitments and new ideas. Let us collaborate across borders, across institutions, across sectors and across communities, in support of the 2030 Agenda.
Despite uncertainties, through working together, we can achieve the SDGs.
On behalf of UN DESA, I thank you for your contributions and concrete suggestions on how to ensure a path towards sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19, and advance the 2030 Agenda for all.
I thank you.