17 October 2022

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

Robert McNamara the then president of the World Bank said in 1968: “Within ten years, we can eliminate poverty from the world.” He was deeply convinced about it. I was 10 years old at that time. As you see, I am more than 20 years now. I deeply regret that his plan has not materialized the way he wanted.

In our age, poverty is not a natural phenomenon.

It is now a matter of a policy choice.

It is a matter of choosing to end poverty. Nationally and internationally.

And committing to its complete eradication.

We have, in fact, made this choice: we pledged to prioritize ending poverty by 2030.

And for 25 years, we were on track.

The number of people living on less than 2-dollars and 15-cents a day was steadily declining.

But the 3 C’s – climate change, Covid, and conflicts – interrupted this positive trend and global poverty rates rose once again.

Today, all the 3 C’s are still be with us, together with some other manifestations of crises. Reducing absolute poverty seems to be beyond reach again…unless we make swift decisions and take substantial science-based policy action.

George Orwell wrote that “poverty annihilates the future” to capture the utter hopelessness experienced by the poor.

So, how can we respond to the calls of those most in need among the 8 billion we are supposed to serve?

Firstly, peace.

The war in Ukraine is only one of many armed conflicts globally – none of which should have been ignited in the first place.

But, compounded with the pandemic, this war has had a devastating impact on the poorest of our world.

It has been hindering food production; disrupting food, fertilizer, and energy supply chains; and triggering inflation. 

If we want to see our “No Poverty” goal achieved soon, we must end the fighting everywhere, including in Ukraine. 

Second, science.

Rooting our decisions in science will produce evidence-based solutions.

Let us harness our scientific and technical knowledge to wipe poverty off the face of the earth. With a focus on women and children, who disproportionally carry the burden.

Poverty is multifaceted.

We therefore need to go beyond GDP. To see clearly the trends of growing inequalities and accumulating social, financial and environmental debts. These bubbles will explode and the consequences will have to be shouldered by someone. We cannot expect future generations to carry this burden.

Let us develop methodologies that measure sustainability transformation and account for inequalities and vulnerabilities.

Lastly, solidarity.

The pandemic highlighted the importance of solidarity both for social cohesion within countries, and for collective security among states.

The pandemic truly shed light on our capacity to care for each other.

This momentum must be kept alive. 

In addition to Official Development Assistance, we must mobilize financial institutions, philanthropy, and the private sector.

We must create incentives for funding our mission to leave no one behind.

As President of the General Assembly, I reaffirm my commitment to upholding the honor of all those living in poverty.

This session wants to pursue an integrated agenda of peace, prosperity, and sustainability.

We seek to create a world where, in the words of Nelson Mandela, I quote “overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” End quote.

And I thank you very much.