Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN DESA, I am pleased to welcome you to this important event. We will hear inspiring efforts that are driving SDG implementation around the world.
Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, governments and stakeholders across different sectors have been undertaking transformative actions – individually and collectively. Today, more than ever, we need all actors to re-double their efforts to fulfil our global commitments to sustainability.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The COVID-19 pandemic has halted, and in some cases reversed, hard-earned development gains made over the past decades. It has also exposed the systemic vulnerabilities and inequalities – particularly for those already left behind.
However, with every challenge comes an opportunity. The efforts to recover from the pandemic offer us a possibility to:
- re-think and re-engineer our economies,
- adopt more sustainable and green solutions, and
- create a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable world.
Dear colleagues,
In 2018, UN DESA launched an open call for Good Practices, Success Stories and Lessons Learned in SDG implementation. We received more than 700 submissions from:
- Governments,
- the United Nations system,
- civil society,
- the private sector,
- academia, and
- many other stakeholders from almost 100 countries.
The submissions were reviewed by a team of experts from twenty United Nations entities. As a result, more than 500 good practices – with clear evidence of results and impacts – are showcased on an accessible online platform.
Today, we are launching a digital publication that highlights sixteen of these practices from across the globe. At this event, we will hear from colleagues who are implementing some of these activities – about the impacts and results they have had. I am confident that the diversity of sectors, regions and thematic focus will serve as an inspiration for us all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are also officially launching today the second open call for Good Practices, Success Stories and Lessons Learned in SDG Implementation. We want to continue to learn from the experiences and creativity of all stakeholders across the globe.
We look forward to hearing more about proven solutions that work, and to making this information available for the benefit of all. I invite you all to share your experiences and contribute to the SDG Good Practices initiative.
Thank you.