At the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, President Kutesa holds bilateral meetings with several Ministers of Finance and Development Cooperation; highlights the importance of ensuring a successful outcome from the Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa

New York – 17 April 2015

Event on Data for Sustainable Development

Today in Washington DC, the President of the General Assembly (PGA), H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, delivered opening remarks at an event on Data for Development organized by the World Bank, the United Nations Foundation and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

The PGA underscored that data is an important tool for planning, monitoring, and accountability. He stressed that high-quality, timely and reliable data will be essential for follow-up and review of the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. Given the changing data and technology landscape, he added that “we need to draw on the assets of all actors” and strengthen the capacity of statistical institutions.

Meeting with the Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Bahrain

President Kutesa met H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The President and the Minister discussed the priorities of the 69th session, including the ongoing formulation of a transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring a successful outcome from the Third Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) to be held from 13 to 16 July in Addis Ababa, with concrete deliverables to support the implementation of the new agenda. He called for high-level participation, including at Heads of State level at the conference.

The Minister of Finance of Bahrain assured the President of the General Assembly of the Kingdom’s continued support for the goals of the United Nations and his country’s commitment to a successful FFD conference.

Meeting with the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development

President Kutesa also met with H.E. Dr. Gerd Müller, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. The President thanked the Federal Minister for Germany’s continued support to the work of the General Assembly. They discussed the ongoing formulation of a transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda and underscored the need to accompany it with adequate resources for its implementation.

President Kutesa and Federal Minister Müller underlined the importance of ensuring successful outcomes from the FfD Conference in July and the post-2015 Development Agenda and Climate Change summits in September and December respectively.

 

Meeting with the Minister of Finance of India

Later on the same day, the President of the General Assembly met with the Minister of Finance of India, H.E. Mr. Arun Jaitley. The PGA and the Finance Minister discussed important issues on the agenda of the 69th session of the General Assembly, including the Post-2015 Development Agenda and its financing. President Kutesa and Minister Jaitley underscored the importance of global partnerships that would ensure that the goals of the United Nations are effectively achieved.

The Indian Minister of Finance reiterated his country’s support to the goals of the United Nations, and in particular the formulation of an ambitious and transformative agenda, with poverty eradication and achievement of sustainable development as its overarching objectives.

Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Cooperation of Belgium

President Kutesa also met with H.E. Mr. Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium and Minister of Development Cooperation, Digital Agenda, Telecom and Postal Services. The President of the General Assembly and the Deputy Prime Minister exchanged views on important issues on the agenda of the 69th session of the General Assembly, including the Post-2015 Development Agenda and its implementation. The PGA and the Deputy Prime Minister concurred on the need for high-level participation and a successful outcome from the Addis Ababa Conference. They also discussed international and regional issues.

Meeting with the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Uganda

President Kutesa met with Hon. Matiya Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Uganda, with whom he discussed the importance of ensuring that the upcoming FfD Conference is successful in order to support the implementation of the new development agenda.