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Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you today on behalf of the Secretary-General.

At the halfway mark of the 2030 Agenda’s implementation, a dangerous and growing divergence now threatens development prospects.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities among and within countries, in part due to vaccine and fiscal inequities that are not only leaving—but pushing—developing countries behind.

At the same time, more frequent and intense climate-related shocks pose a growing threat to the development prospects of vulnerable countries.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be back in Munich for the first time in three years.

Unfortunately, the world has grown even more complex and dangerous during that time.

I see five major reasons.

First, geopolitical divides have continued to grow and deepen.

These divides often paralyse the Security Council and create an environment of impunity in which state and non-state actors believe they can do whatever they want.

Your Excellency, Prime Minister Weil, Ladies and gentlemen, 

It is a pleasure to send you my warmest greetings on the 75th anniversary of the State of Lower Saxony.

Lower Saxony is one of the most innovative regions in the world, especially in environmental and sustainable energy technologies.

The world benefits from your innovations, as we work together to tackle global challenges: from COVID-19, worsening climate change and dramatic biodiversity loss, to growing hunger, persistent poverty and deepening inequalities.

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