New York – 1 September 2015

Excellencies,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to address this plenary meeting convened to take action on a draft resolution to transmit the outcome document of the Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda to the seventieth session for adoption during the Summit.

The successful conclusion of the negotiations on 2 August 2015 was a fitting culmination of nearly two years of intensive, inclusive preparations and negotiations. It took a considerable amount of effort, flexibility and a spirit of compromise by all to arrive at this point.

We should all be proud of what we have attained together. The outcome document entitled “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, which world leaders will be adopting later this month here in New York, is a historic achievement.

The spirit with which the outcome document was formulated and agreed by consensus is a triumph for multilateralism. We have proven that the global community can work together to address pressing issues facing humanity, while making the necessary commitments for the benefit of all.

I would like to take this opportunity to convey my sincere appreciation to Member States, Observers and all stakeholders for your active and constructive engagement throughout the process.

I wish to pay special tribute to the Co-Facilitators, Ambassador David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland and Ambassador Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya for their steadfast commitment in steering the negotiations to a successful conclusion.

I highly commend the Secretary-General, H.E. Ban Ki-moon for his personal commitment and the continuous support provided by the UN Secretariat and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in particular. I also thank Ms. Amina Mohammed, Special Advisor of the Secretary-General on the Post-2015 development planning for her tireless efforts.

I thank the civil society, non-governmental organisations, major groups, parliamentarians, private sector, youth, local authorities, the academia, philanthropic organisations and all stakeholders who provided valuable inputs.

Excellencies,

By putting eradicating of poverty, improving livelihoods for all, transforming economies and protecting our planet among its core objectives, the new agenda is ambitious, inclusive and transformative. It seeks to leave no one behind.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the main component of the new development framework, are comprehensive and address the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in an integrated way.

While the SDGs will be universally applicable, there is also recognition of national circumstances, different levels of development and the needs of countries in special situations, particularly the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Africa.

As I have underscored before, the task ahead will be to ensure successful implementation of the new development agenda, once adopted. In this context, integrating it into our respective national development plans, mobilizing adequate financial resources, technology development and transfer and capacity building and ensuring effective follow-up and review will be critical.

Taken together with the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, we now have a comprehensive framework that will support the implementation of the new agenda.

We have to ensure that the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which have been incorporated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is carried forward. In this regard, greater attention will be needed in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation, advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, and creation of employment, among others.

Furthermore, greater investments will be required in many areas such as infrastructure development, promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development, improvement of productive capacities, and creation of more opportunities for employment, especially for the youth.

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

The international community and citizens around the world have waited for this moment with anticipation and great expectations. By adopting the draft resolution before us today, and transmitting the outcome document to the Summit for adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, we will have taken an important step towards putting our world on a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable path.

As we embark on this collective journey, we have to uphold the pledge that no one will be left behind.

I thank you for your attention.