12 January 2023

Thank you very much Mr. Minister,

Mr. Secretary-General,

Mr. Executive Secretary,

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

2022 saw a scourge of war and its severe impacts on global food, energy, security unleashed upon many, many parts of the world.

 

We saw high inflation, as we heard already from the intervention of the Minister, and an unprecedented level of sovereign debts.

 

We were exposed to natural disasters, bearing heavy tolls on women, men and children, as our Pakistani friends sadly know all too well.

 

The unremitting COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to put pressure on our healthcare – and our systems of governance overall.

 

As we step into 2023, we can no longer ignore the pressing need for reforming our global financial institutions.

 

Under Pakistan’s steadfast leadership, you have worked to hold those institutions to account.

 

You have expressed your desire for reform.

 

And I see, and fully understand the good reason for that reform.

 

And you have highlighted the urgent need to address these interlocking challenges we have just heard about.

 

While I have no doubt 2023 will bring its own challenges, there is a reason for hope.

 

Many milestones are making our way forward this year.

 

First, and foremost, the SDG Summit in September will be the halfway point in the implementation of our 2030 Agenda.

 

It will be an event of pivotal  importance this year.

 

I am sure that I can count on the G77 and China to galvanise momentum among Member States to get the world back on track to achieve our common goals.

 

Second, the United Nations Water Conference will be the first of its kind since 1977.

 

Members of the G77 are best placed to know the wealth of opportunities that water offers us – and the dangers that loom if we keep going down this same track.

 

I urge you to come together to create consensus on the gamechangers your countries need most.

 

When these are agreed upon, adopted and implemented, we will look back on the Water Conference as a singular, transformational moment in history.

That is in our hands now.

 

One with real impact for the people outside of this building.

 

The SDG Summit and the UN Water conference are only two examples.

 

But as the largest and most diverse group of UN Member States, your voice is critical to our institution’s success and relevance.

 

From pandemic preparedness to the Global Digital Compact, I urge you to make your voice heard by engaging with all the processes mandated by the General Assembly, and by supporting the co-facilitators I appointed to steer these processes – many of whom are in the room now.

 

We face many challenges, and these challenges do not operate in silos, but are deeply intertwined and complex.

 

Yet, that does not make them insurmountable.

 

If we all work together and keep our eyes on the necessary, bold but pragmatic steps of crisis management and agreed goals of transformation, what results can be expected by September 2023?

 

I believe a clear vision and acknowledgement of political responsibilities of various dimensions of transformation can be achieved.

 

I think a new evaluation and validation methodology for the implementation of the sustainability transformation can be done.

 

I believe Game changers can be identified in strengthening water and climate action.

 

A renewed economic approach of using natural resources can be achieved.

 

A renewed financing logic, factoring in negative and positive externalities, based on all value approach,  can be developed.

 

A reform of the international institutions of financing development, can be and should be launched.

 

I hope we shall be witnessing a re-commitment nuclear non-proliferation. And I hope we are going to gradually rebuild trust among Member States.

 

Last but not least, I am really hopeful to see strengthening of the role of multilateralism.

 

With solidarity and empathy at the core of what we do, with the promise of a sustainable future as our top priority, and with solutions rooted in science – we can succeed. Join me.

 

Your group is a primary stakeholder in all the upcoming discussions this year.

 

I have full confidence that Cuba’s Presidency will be, as was Pakistan’s, a success.

 

I was very happy to listen to the Cuban presidency’s priorities.

 

Very inspiring, a lot to think [about], and work together, and a very good promise for a productive year.

 

I look forward to working with you. And I count on your leadership, Mr. President.

 

Likewise, you can always count on my support and that of my office.

 

Thank you very much.