Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

27 April 2022

 

Excellencies,

I thank the Global Task Force on Local and Regional Governments for convening this meeting.

Today’s discussion emulates the spirit of the General Assembly. This is the place where leaders – at the global, regional, and local levels – meet to discuss ideas and reach consensus. Where mayors and representatives come together to share the concerns of local communities.

By doing so, we can identify challenges that are common to such communities and mobilize effective partnerships to resolve them.

Colleagues, such partnerships are always better facilitated through in person-dialogue and interaction, and it is for this reason that I persistently advocated for a gradual and safe return to in person meetings at the General Assembly. It is heartening to once again see side-events, such as this one, where decision makers can meet and shake on decisions face-to-face.

I take this opportunity to thank the Global Task Force, and all the members of my Advisory Committee on Sustainable Urbanization, for their support. The Committee has helped my office develop strategies to ensure that the outcomes of the New Urban Agenda meeting, which I will convene at the General Assembly tomorrow, carry momentum going forward.

Colleagues, I do not need to tell you about the importance of cities to the implementation of the SDGs, and to ensuring the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

What I will do, is implore you to help ensure that 2022 becomes a milestone year in upscaling rapid and universal implementation of the New Urban Agenda – in both developing and developed countries.

Because we need your support to ensure that cities continue to play a vital role in helping us respond to the needs of the planet, and to helping protect future generations from the consequences of climate change.

Likewise, cities and mayors must be empowered to fulfill their role as ‘first responders’ who can salvage the Sustainable Development Goals in the face of multiple ongoing crises that are shaking our world: socio-politically, economically, and environmentally.

They will need assistance with planning, financing and implementing sustainable infrastructure projects. Such projects need to be bold and forward-looking. The time for short-term and unambitious thinking is long-past.

Excellencies,

As we look to build a better future, the scale of effort required might look daunting. However, we must always remember that we have the financial and technological capacity to succeed.

All we require is the political will. With it, we can mobilize millions of urbanization professionals across the world, including architects, engineers, surveyors, urban planners and more; and we can overcome the gaps hindering urgent action.

In such endeavors I have continuously advocated for whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, which partners with, and leverages, the United Nations system at all levels. Your support is critical in this regard.

I look forward to the key messages from today’s discussions being taken forward in the GA meeting tomorrow, and I wish you all a very rich and constructive dialogue.

Thank you.