Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to join you today on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD). Fifty years is a major milestone, and I congratulate UNCRD for marking this Golden Jubilee.
Since its inception in 1971, UNCRD has been an important part of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN DESA. The Center contributes to the social and economic transformation of developing countries, through research and training programmes, in the field of regional development.
We are very grateful for the generous support received over the years from the Government of Japan, as well as the local hosts, Aichi Prefecture, and Nagoya City.
Over the past fifty years, UNCRD has supported the implementation at the regional and country levels of major internationally agreed development frameworks, such as:
- Agenda 21,
- the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, and
- the outcome document of the Rio+20 Conference, the Future We Want.
Today, UNCRD is fully committed to supporting Member States in their implementation of the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The COVID-19 pandemic has undermined decades of development efforts. It has set back prospects for achieving the SDGs, everywhere.
As noted in UN DESA’s 2022 World Economic Situation and Prospects report – while the world is emerging from the depths of a paralyzing economic crisis – the recovery remains fragile and uneven. Affecting this recovery includes the:
- lingering pandemic,
- persistent labour market challenges,
- ongoing supply-chain disruptions,
- rising inflation, and
- looming debt traps.
At the same time, rising poverty, hunger, inequality, and job losses continue. Health-care systems have been pushed to the brink, and the impacts of climate change are placing the SDGs further out of reach.
The 2030 Agenda offers the best way forward in addressing today’s multiple challenges. The Secretary-General’s report on Our Common Agenda, serves to bring renewed support to accelerate implementation of the SDGs. Thus, leveraging strengths to maximize the impact of each UN entity.
The UN global platforms and processes in 2022-2023, provide important opportunities to mobilize Member States and all stakeholders, to fill the gaps in achieving the SDGs. These include:
- the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development,
- the UN Ocean and Water Conferences,
- Financing for Development, and
- Science, Technology and Innovation Forums,
Advancements at all levels are needed to strengthen multilateralism and international cooperation. I therefore urge the continued support to UNCRD.
Such support will ensure that the Center continues to deliver its mandate in a timely, efficient, and impactful manner. It will allow the Center to better address the needs of developing countries across the world, and ensure that no one is left behind.
I express my deep appreciation to the Ministry of the Environment, and Ministry of Infrastructure, Land and Tourism of Japan, for providing generous funding support in establishing:
- the two important Regional Forums on Environmentally Sustainable Transport and 3Rs –Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and
- circular economy, and
- for launching the new initiative of smart cities which started last year.
Regarding SDG localization, we expect that the region of Chubu will continue to offer a good example of sustainable development planning. Indeed, Aichi, Nagoya, and Toyota, were designated as ‘SDG Future City’, by the Government of Japan.
I would also encourage them to join the Voluntary Local Reviews initiative at the next High-level Political Forum in July.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The United Nations Center for Regional Development is a vital part of our work. Its engagement and promotion of developing country priorities is needed now, more than ever.
I look forward to the continued collaboration and partnership between UNCRD the Government of Japan, Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City over the coming years.
I thank you.