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

23 June 2022

 

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I would like to start by thanking the Government of Rwanda and the Commonwealth Secretariat for convening this Forum.

 

As a Commonwealth citizen, I am honored to participate in this first meeting since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

I particularly welcome this year’s theme: Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming, with a focus on “A Global Reset”.

 

This topic is dear to my heart and particularly resonates right now, as we strive to build a more resilient future and recover from Covid-19.

 

As we are all aware, the pandemic has been devastating for our global economy – the backlash of which has been particularly acute for small island states and developing countries.

 

For this reason, I have made recovery from Covid-19 a priority during my Presidency of the General Assembly.

 

Excellencies,

 

However perilous our road has been, we find ourselves in an opportune moment to build back better. 

 

This moment is one we must seize; we must learn from this and attempt to tackle the myriad challenges we face in addition to Covid-19: climate change being one of the most pressing.

 

We cannot let this moment pass us by.

 

I urge the international community to accelerate SDG actions to build back better, stronger, greener, and bluer.

 

The pandemic has shown us that science and innovation are at the heart of this effort to transform our world for the better and achieve our 2030 Agenda.

 

This was evidenced by the rapid and joint development of novel vaccine technology.

 

We cannot let our ingenuity stop there.

 

We must lean into our innovative capacities, strengths, and skills, while ensuring no one is left behind.

 

We must transform our production and consumption patterns to be more sustainable and resilient.

 

We must alleviate the digital inequalities causing a rift between developed and developing countries.

 

Friends,

 

In this journey, business leaders and the private sector have a key role to play.

 

As central actors of the global economy, you are in a unique position to invest in innovation and play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient world.

 

This requires adoption of sustainable and responsible business models, ones in line with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.

 

These principles drive competition while bolstering equity, inclusion, and climate resilience.

 

The private company Zipline is an example to look to. Its role in both Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution is an instance of successful partnership between public and private entities, and demonstrates the use of innovation for common good.

 

Excellencies and friends,

 

Achieving our complete recovery from Covid-19 and our SDG targets is conditional upon our prioritizing those most vulnerable. This includes women and young people.

 

Inclusive and multilateral discussions are the only blueprint for a more resilient and sustainable world, guided by the SDGs.

 

Today’s panel illustrated both the challenges ahead and the innovative solutions we have at our disposal, to resolve and overcome them.

 

Let us seize the opportunity to build a new world – one built on science, innovation, and creativity.

 

Let us truly build back better.

 

I thank you.