Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, talk of a ‘great reset’, or a ‘new normal’, have become commonplace. These sentiments stemmed from the recognition that the path we were on prior to the pandemic was unsustainable and destructive to our planet, and future well-being.

Over two years later, we must strengthen our resolve for a recovery that  embraces the principles of resilience, sustainability, and equity. By building back better, stronger, bluer, and greener we can avert, or better manage, future crises. 

Make no mistake, such an ambitious and societal pivot requires all-hands-on-deck. We need a whole of society approach that includes the private sector, governments and civil society; one that spurs collective behavioral changes and reduces the likelihood of future shocks while increasing resilience.

Recognizing these challenges, and in line with my commitment to support efforts to recover sustainably, I have decided to convene a series of events to facilitate in-depth discussions on commodities, debt, and sustainable tourism.

The first, on commodities, is set to take place on 31st of March. A mandated event, the interactive dialogue will focus on the economic fragility of commodity-dependent developing countries.

My office has been working closely with UNCTAD on preparations for the event, which will review trends in the commodities market, as well as the role of energy and technology for economic and export diversification.

Following this, on 4 May, I will convene a high level thematic debate focused on the recovery of the tourism sector.

International tourism and its closely linked sectors suffered an estimated loss of $2.4 trillion in 2020. A rebound of the sector would be significant driver of global economic recovery – especially if we seized the opportunity to move it in a more sustainable direction, in alignment with out commitments under the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement.

My office is currently working closely with the UN World Tourism Organization, UNEP, UNCTAD, and others to prepare for the event.

Finally, I will be convening, together with the President of ECOSOC, a high-level thematic debate on debt sustainability on 31 May. This debate, which follows on from the Financing for Development Forum, will allow Member States and stakeholders the opportunity to consider options to mitigate unsustainable debt in the context of recovery from COVID-19.

With the pandemic compounding social and economic development challenges, debt is emerging as one of the main obstacles to recovery. We must strengthen calls for a recovery that allows countries to use all available resources to respond to the pandemic, and to do so in a sustainable, resilient manner. 

My Office, and the Office of the President of ECOSOC, is working closely with the Office of the Secretary-General, DESA’s Financing for Development Office, UNDP, UNCTAD and others to facilitate this debate. I hope there will also be an opportunity for the outcome of the event to feed into the relevant G20 events going forward.

Excellencies,

Esteemed Board Members,

I thank you again for your invaluable insights and participation in this forum. With three ambitious events on the horizon, and with the intention to feed into global socio-economic recovery in a way that is transformative and forward looking,  your inputs are critical, and I am eager to hear your thoughts

I thank you.