Watch the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+8+Oct+21/2666711_MSG+SG+NAM+60TH+08+OCT+21.mp4

Excellencies, 

It is an honour to join you in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement.     

You gather at a time of unprecedented global challenges.  With two-thirds of UN Member States, the Non-Aligned Movement has a critical role to play across the board.   

The Special Session of the General Assembly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, convened at the initiative of the Non-Aligned Movement, helped foster global solidarity. 

I have long been pushing for a global vaccination plan to reach everyone, everywhere.  

We know vaccine inequality is allowing variants to develop and run wild, condemning the world to millions more deaths, and prolonging an economic slowdown that could cost trillions of dollars.  

For everyone’s sake, we must urgently bring all countries to a high level of vaccination coverage.  

In particular, G20 countries must mobilise resources and turn the World Health Organization’s Global Vaccination Strategy into reality. 

The pandemic has tested our resolve to address many pressing global problems.  

We must accelerate efforts to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and build resilience in our economies and societies.    

That includes stepping up action to end debt distress.  I have proposed a debt crisis action plan.  

To expand liquidity — including by a substantial re-allocation of Special Drawing Rights to vulnerable countries that need them.  

To suspend debt payments into next year, for all countries that need it — including middle-income countries.  

To ensure effective debt relief and develop a comprehensive strategy to reform the international debt architecture, which traps too many countries in deadly cycles of debt waves.  

And to work with the private sector and multilateral development banks to craft innovative financing tools, and help lower risk and draw capital to  bankable, job-creating projects in communities that need them.  

We must also ramp up action to address the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. 

Climate action is urgent and requires more ambition from all countries in three key areas — mitigation, finance and adaptation. 

More ambition on mitigation — means countries committing to carbon neutrality by mid-century —and to targets that will get us there, backed up with credible actions now. 

More ambition on finance — means developing nations finally seeing the promised 100 billion dollars a year for climate action,  

More ambition on adaptation — means developed countries living up to their promise of credible support to developing countries  

Fifty per cent of all climate finance provided by developed countries and multilateral development banks should be dedicated to adaptation.  

Excellencies,  

We also continue to draw strength from the voice of the Non-Aligned Movement in our pursuit of eliminating nuclear weapons and creating a world that is safer and free of the threat of weapons of mass destruction.     

In all our challenges, international cooperation and multilateralism are essential. 

Let’s keep working together to translate ideas into transformative policies and concrete action – action that puts a focus on youth and future generations, strengthens gender equality, ensures equal rights and opportunities, rebuilds trust, and creates more peaceful and just communities.    

This is our Common Agenda.    

I wish you a successful meeting. 

Thank you.