Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

We gather at a time when global multilateralism is under immense stress, under the weight of an unprecedented pandemic. Yet it is in these challenging times that we need multilateralism more than ever, as the fate of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development hangs in the balance.

Yes, the pandemic has temporarily diverted our attention and resources towards addressing its immediate repercussions. Given the urgency and scale of the crisis, this was only common sense.

However, the pandemic has not absolved us of our duty to address the other concerns facing our people and planet, concerns very much summarized and addressed in the Sustainable Development Goals.

It falls on us now to strengthen global cooperation and mobilize political will to implement a comprehensive global recovery, one built upon the goals and aspirations of the SDGs.

And we must do so with the full understanding that all of the major challenges of our century are global in scale. They cannot be met without the concerted effort of all actors spanning the globe, from governments, to businesses, to civil society.

The era of isolationism is long over. COVID-19 has underscored that reality quite clearly. We will not succeed if we ignore the world around us, if we prioritize one region or issue over others, or if we neglect marginalized and vulnerable communities.

We must breathe new life into multilateralism and shape it so that everyone benefits. We must acknowledge the gravity of the issues that confront us – climate change, poverty and economic loss among them – so that we can effectively address them and recover better.

And we must act with compassion, committing to prioritize the most vulnerable amongst us. We must leave no one behind.

I call on the international community to support initiatives to provide debt relief to economically vulnerable countries such as SIDS, LDCs, and LLDCs; to support industries crucial to their economic well-being, such as tourism; and to strengthen global regimes for development cooperation and assistance.

Excellencies, 

Of the challenges that will remain after the pandemic, climate change is among the most pressing.

Frankly, COP-26 did not meet our expectations. But the deliberations reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism to address climate change and its impacts, and to stay within the 1.5 degree target.

For the first time in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, there is a reference to phasing down unabated coal power and phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.

Developed countries have agreed to double their adaptation finance from 2019 levels, by 2025.

Parties that have not yet communicated new or updated nationally determined contributions agreed to do so before the next COP.

The Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, signed by 120 countries, aims to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.

The Global Methane Pledge, signed by over 100 countries, commits to collectively reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

Finally, in completing the Paris Agreement rulebook, the Agreement is now operational and implementable.

My overall assessment of COP 26 is that there is some ground for cautious optimism. Nevertheless, much more political will and cooperation will be required to enhance the ambition for rapid emission reductions over the coming decade to avoid dangerous levels of climate change.

Excellencies,

We must build on that momentum in the lead up to COP27. As President of the General Assembly I will continue to do my part and will convene a High Level Moment for Nature in July, to reflect on the lessons we learn from the three complementary RIO conventions that will have been held this session: on climate, biodiversity, and desertification.

During the event, I will echo my message during the High Level Event I held on climate last October, and during COP26: Humanity has the ingenuity and resources to act on climate – but only if our efforts are fortified with political will and cooperation.

I applaud The Energy and Resource Institute for launching the Act4Earth initiative to facilitate greater multistakeholder partnerships in meeting the 2030 Agenda.

As a Maldivian, I join islanders from across the world in feeling anxiety over the fate of our homes in the face of climate crises, and rising sea-levels. We are on the front-lines of a battle that will one day engulf the entire world.      

The Act4 earth initiative captures the urgency with which we need to protect our planet. And it captures the scale of cooperation required to be successful.

Excellencies,

Rest assured that throughout my Presidency of Hope I will make every effort to support partnerships that will help us protect our planet and meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

I express my gratitude to the organizers for providing me this opportunity to speak and wish you all a very successful event.

Thank you.