{"id":285399,"date":"2025-05-12T11:06:19","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T15:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/79\/?p=285399"},"modified":"2025-05-14T13:22:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T17:22:23","slug":"pga-remarks-at-the-2025-sustainable-development-goal-16-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/79\/2025\/05\/12\/pga-remarks-at-the-2025-sustainable-development-goal-16-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"PGA Remarks at the 2025 Sustainable Development Goal 16 Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Remarks by the President of the UN General Assembly,<\/strong><\/p>\n

H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang,<\/strong><\/p>\n

at the 2025 Sustainable Development Goal 16 Conference<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday, 12 May 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

[As Delivered]<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your Excellencies,<\/p>\n

Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I thank all the organisers for hosting this important conference and for inviting me to join you today.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Peaceful, just and inclusive societies \u2013 as envisioned in Sustainable Development Goal 16 \u2013 are the bedrock of our international community.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They are anchored in values of equality, inclusion and respect for human rights.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And they underpin all our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With 2030 quickly approaching, the need to accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals could not be more urgent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The General Assembly, as the most universal decision-making body, plays a crucial role in advancing Goal 16.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Member States, on the basis of sovereign equality, come together to find common solutions to global challenges.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With one quarter of humanity now living in conflict-affected areas, we must prioritise action to unleash progress across our complex global agenda.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And I have emphasised peace and security, the rule of law and inclusive multilateralism as anchors for our efforts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These anchors come together on, amongst others, the critical issue of small arms and light weapons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In this regard, earlier this year, I convened a joint meeting with the President of the Economic and Social Council on small arms and light weapons control for preventing violence and advancing sustainable development.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The objective was to focus on the impact of the illicit flows and misuse of these weapons on development.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I commend Member States for their valuable recommendations, including for a whole-of-Government approach to addressing arms control, violence reduction and poverty alleviation challenges.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These recommendations come at a pivotal moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the Pact for the Future, world leaders pledged to strengthen efforts to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We mean societies that:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One, provide equal access to justice,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Two, \u00a0uphold human rights,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Three, promote the rule of law,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And four, rely upon transparent, accountable institutions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To deliver on these commitments, we need coordinated action at national, regional and global levels to strengthen the independence of judicial systems.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As we advance the implementation of the Pact for the Future, we are fortunate that we are not operating in a vacuum.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The implementation of the Pact will indeed complement existing frameworks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To maximise coherence, I convened a meeting with co-facilitators of various processes at the General Assembly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The goal was to exchange views on how we can build upon the commitments in the Pact for the Future.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In addition, in March, I held the first of three interactive dialogues to support Member States in their implementation efforts of the Pact for the Future.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And I was encouraged that several delegations underscored the need to uphold the rule of law at national and international levels.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The eightieth anniversary of the United Nations offers a key moment to expand upon these efforts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And to give meaning to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Principles of justice, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Principles that provide the backbone of peaceful, just and inclusive societies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your Excellencies,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In our 80th year, let us rise to this noble mission.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Let us fortify the foundations of just, peaceful and sustainable societies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I thank you.<\/p>\n

Media Contacts<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser\/ Social and Digital Media\/Media Relations, M: +1 917 3614990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More Information and Updates\u00a0: Website<\/a><\/u><\/b>: \u00a0YouTube: <\/a><\/u><\/b>\u00a0X (Twitter):<\/a><\/u><\/b>\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/u><\/b>: \u00a0LinkedIn: <\/a><\/u><\/b>\u00a0Photo Repository<\/a><\/u><\/b>: Bluesky<\/a><\/u><\/b>; Weekly Highlights<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Resolutions of the 79th Session \u2013 UN General Assembly<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Remarks by the President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. 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