Remarks by the President of the General Assembly

H.E. Dennis Francis

At the Official Opening of the SDG Pavilion at COP28

Dubai, UAE

1 December 2023

 

Madam Deputy Secretary General,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to join you at the official opening the SDG Pavilion at COP28.

When I assumed the Presidency of the UN General Assembly, in September, I did so mindful that the SDG Summit – as the premier event during the High-Level Week – would set the tone and tenor for the entirety of the session.

I reminded the Member States of this, recognizing that implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs – the most broad, comprehensive, and interconnected roadmap ever created – were perilously off course.

Without any doubt, the impacts of the pandemic, inflation, and global conflict are significant stressors that have severely derailed progress in delivering our 2030 blueprint – a milestone promise to the world’s peoples that their wellbeing and prosperity matter.

For the UN – and for the entirety of the multilateral system – it is a matter of obligation that we honor our commitments and do all we can to deliver the 2030 Agenda, as far as practicable, within the prescribed timeline, regardless of the hurdles.

Distinguished Participants,

This holds true for climate action as well – as the environment and climate change are integral dimensions of sustainable development.

In Paris, in 2015, the world rejoiced when countries adopted a bold Agreement to halt climate change in its tracks.

Yet regrettably – like the SDGs – we have not yet substituted our words for meaningful transformative climate action.

We have not addressed this challenge with the principled conviction, determination, resource mobilization, or collaboration required to deliver a just and sustainable outcome.

And we are thus paying the price, the increasing price, for this delay.

That is clear in the sea-level rise – which poses a real existential threat for Small Island Developing States.

It is also evident from the intensity of the heatwaves and forest fires we endured this summer and before, around the world.

It is amply evident in the rampaging droughts and floods, that are eroding livelihoods, and undermining food security.

We may be delayed in our response – but, with heightened determination for purposive action, we can yet seize the remaining opportunity.

There is still time for course correction to pivot implementation and to supercharge our efforts on sustainable, climate-resilient development.

Doing so, however, dictates that we work together – and much harder – for effective resource mobilization, ensuring that everyone who needs grants and financing can readily access them.

Solutions require that we build credible strategic partnerships and embrace solidarity, and work across public and private sectors to deliver innovative solutions.

And that we reach for the big, bold, transformative actions that can move the needle on mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage – in leaps and bounds, rather than incrementally.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends, colleagues,

As President of the General Assembly, I am fully committed to doing my part to accelerate progress on the SDGs and Paris Agreement. As announced this morning,  It is my intention to host a Sustainability Week, next April, in New York, to do just that.

In collaboration with some Member States and other stakeholders, I intend to convene the Week ‘Sustainability Week’ in multiple high-level segments and building on some already mandated events, including:

–             a flagship event on socio-economic inequality and debt sustainability.

–             a Global Stocktaking on Energy, to complement progress made here at COP28.

–             a High-level meeting on Sustainable Transport, to address emissions and concerns from the transportation sector.

–             an informal dialogue on building global resilience and promoting sustainable development through infrastructure connectivity, to supercharge efforts to empower those furthest behind; and

–             a High-level thematic event on Tourism, to recognize the sustainability needs in this critical sector.

It is my hope that this Sustainability Week will build upon the SDG Summit, as well as progress hopefully to be achieved at this COP28 – and further accelerate actions across these and other sectors.

Excellencies,

To surmount the challenges – bold action is required to deliver peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.

But no meaningful progress will be achieved if we prematurely throw in the towel and accept defeat – and as a result, no lives will be improved, no children educated, no healthcare expanded, and no ecosystems nurtured and strengthened.

Delivering on each of these objectives requires action – and action requires optimism and collaboration.

I trust that this Pavilion – a testament to the power and promise of the SDGs – will inspire renewed confidence in us to keep pushing for delivery.

I thank you.