– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
14 January 2020
His Excellency, Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Almubarak, Minister of State and G20 Sherpa of Saudi Arabia,
Mr. Liu Zhenmin, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
It is a pleasure to speak to you today. In particular, I welcome H.E. Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Almubarak to the Trusteeship Council.
This briefing provides an opportunity for us all to deepen the partnership and strengthen the dialogue between the G20 and the wider membership of the United Nations. Conversations like this are key to bolstering multilateralism and joint efforts. I am encouraged by the theme of the G20: Realising opportunities of the 21st Century for All. This aligns with the priorities of the 74th session of the General Assembly which include: inclusion and gender equality, as well as quality education. We must galvanise multilateral efforts in these areas to realise opportunities for this century, for all.
Indeed, General Assembly Resolution 71/327 welcomed the practice of informal engagement between the United Nations and intergovernmental groupings which make policy recommendations and decisions that have global implications.
As we begin the Decade of Action and Delivery to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, we must take collective action to address the challenges facing humanity.
Global economic growth is slowing down, and inequalities are deepening within and between countries. We must take urgent actions to uphold our promise of leaving no one behind.
Representing 80% of the global economy, the G20 is in a unique position, it has the opportunity to support our brothers and sisters in other countries to advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Excellencies,
If we are to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we need to focus on increasing financing for development. I welcome the G20’s pragmatic focus on this prerequisite for creating a better world for everyone, everywhere.
To achieve real change we must mobilize additional resources from both the private and public sectors and improve the global economic governance. I trust that the G20 will utilise its position to advance efforts to do so.
We pledged, through the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, to take measures to improve and enhance global economic governance to ensure a representative international architecture for sustainable development which was robust, coherent, and inclusive. We must listen to and learn from all voices.
To deliver a global solution to tax challenges and digitalization we need to consult the broader membership of the United Nations. Global norms and regulations in managing the entry of ‘Big Tech’ in finance will not be possible without engaging non-G20 countries. We are all stakeholders in these changes. We will be impacted by these policies and as such we should feed into their development. I ask that you bear this in mind as you explore and shape new frontiers.
When we consider artificial intelligence and cyber resilience, developing countries will be the most affected by, but perhaps least prepared for these advancements. I encourage the G20 to utilise the relevant UN fora to meaningfully engage with developing Member States.
Representing 80% of the global economy, the G20 is in a unique position, it has the opportunity to support our brothers and sisters in other countries to advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals
Excellencies,
As we enter into this Decade of Action and Delivery for the SdGs, we also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. We must take action now to tackle not just the challenges we face today, but the challenges of the next twenty five years; as together, we strive toward creating a better future for all.
I wish the G20 a successful and productive Summit in Riyadh.
I thank you.
