Clock Ticking on Climate Change, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Economic and Social Council Forum, Saying Time Cannot Be Wasted

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed's video message to the Economic and Social Council Partnership Forum, in New York today:

Excellencies, distinguished participants,

I am pleased to address this important annual Forum.  We meet at a critical time.  With climate change, rapid urbanization, continued population growth, growing water scarcity, mass movements of people and other megatrends affecting people and financing worldwide, the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development] is a matter of increasing urgency.  The clock is ticking and we have no time to waste.

In adopting the 2030 Agenda, we knew that its level of ambition would set the bar high.  We were also conscious that no [Sustainable Development] Goal could be delivered without inclusive and bold partnerships.  Partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries are indispensable to its success.  Partnerships that focus on the long haul — beyond specific projects — to deliver results to people on the ground.  Partnerships that allow us to leverage financing from all sources.  Official development assistance will remain critical, but it will also require significant investments by others, including in the private sector.

I welcome the focus of today’s discussion on bridging the global infrastructure gap.  This is central to all 17 Goals.  Not only does infrastructure improve access to agriculture, clean energy, education, water and sanitation, it also increases mobility, connects markets and helps create jobs.  How we direct our investments will also determine the success of our efforts to combat climate change.

In line with the pledge to leave no one behind, we must pay special attention to reducing vulnerability and building resilience in countries with the greatest needs.  And we must strengthen local, national, regional and global partnerships between the public and the private sectors.  Local partnerships are becoming increasingly important as a growing share of the global population lives in cities.

We also need to leverage further on data and technologies, at the service of people.  Young women and men need to be brought in and empowered to be agents of peace and development in their countries and communities.  This will require that we adapt and change the way we plan, deliver and monitor sustainable development goals.  To honour the trust placed in us, we need to review our partnership strategies, platforms and tools.

Promoting effective partnerships will entail greater emphasis on innovation, impact, transparency, coherence, accountability and sustainability.  It is a critical aspect of our ongoing effort to make the UN fit for purpose to help countries deliver on the 2030 Agenda and climate commitments.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide peace, prosperity and dignity for all on a healthy planet.  We cannot afford to fail.  The task is challenging, but nothing is impossible when we work together in partnership.  I wish you a fruitful meeting.  Thank you.