Opening remarks by H.E. Mr Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th session of the General Assembly, at Informal meeting of the GA to hear a briefing on the Technology Facilitation Mechanism
5 February 2016
Excellencies, Under Secretary-General Wu Hongbo, Assistant-Secretary General Elliot Harris, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
You are all very welcome to this briefing on the Technology Facilitation Mechanism.
Last week, many of you participated in a briefing on the global indicator framework for the SDGs.
Immediately after this meeting, an informal meeting will discuss the Secretary General’s recent report relating to follow up and review.
Together, decisive action on these three matters will help us to maintain the momentum from last year; and to ensure that implementation of the SDGs gets off to the best possible start. This is absolutely critical.
In relation to the TFM, it is clear from the Addis Agenda, the 2030 Agenda, and indeed the Paris Agreement, that all member states recognise the incredible potential of technology for sustainable development.
In particular, they recognise that, if the right conditions, supports and partnerships are in place, then technology can help drive the transformation promised by the SDGs – for people, planet, prosperity and peace.
In this regard, the decision to establish a Technology Facilitation Mechanism, launched at the Summit in September, represents an important step forward.
With its emphasis on engaging all stakeholders – including governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, the private sector and academia – to drive collaborative action, the TFM can greatly enhance the effectiveness and reach of international technology cooperation.
And over time, I believe it can become a great example for how the UN can use its legitimacy and convening power at the global level to help realize the SDGs at the local level.
In this context, as expressed during both the General Debate and in the Second Committee, expectations of the TFM are naturally very high.
It is encouraging to see, therefore, that over the past four months important steps have been taken toward its operationalization.
A UN Inter-Agency Task Team has been established with UN DESA and UNEP New York Office as coordinators.
And ten representatives of civil society, the private sector and the scientific community have been appointed by the Secretary General to support the TFM.
Under Secretary-General, Mr. Wu Hongbo, of DESA will now brief you on these and other recent developments. We will also here remarks from Assistant Secretary-General Mr Elliot Harris of UNEP.
After listening to their contributions, the floor will be open to questions and comments.
I encourage you all to use this opportunity to seek clarity where it is needed and to continue to support the operationalization of the TFM over the months and years ahead.
Thank you.