Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have come to the close of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development.
I trust that you will all agree when I say that this has been a historic Conference and a historic success – held on African soil, and delivering an outcome document that meets the high expectations of people around the world.
Some may say that the negotiations felt like a marathon. But on this final lap, negotiators were inspired by our hosts, a country of world-class runners, and crossed the finishing line in time.
On behalf of the Secretary-General, allow me first to reiterate my profound gratitude to our hosts, the Government and people of Ethiopia. Your generous hospitality and the excellent arrangements that you provided have made this Conference a true pleasure to attend and a memorable experience for all of us.
I would like to thank H.E. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, President of the Conference, for personally taking the lead in the preparations and for delivering in such an impressive manner. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to H.E. Mr. Sufian Ahmed, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia and Vice President of the Conference; and H.E. Mr. Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Main Committee.
My colleagues and I have been experiencing your dedication, professionalism and excellent cooperation throughout the last six months. I am delighted that this week, the whole world has been able to witness the fruitful results of the outstanding work that you have carried out in preparing this Conference.
Excellencies,
We started our deliberations last fall in New York with a series of substantive sessions. They provided a strong basis for the drafting sessions and negotiations on the outcome document, ably guided by H.E. Mr. Sam Kutesa, President of the General Assembly and the two co-facilitators of the preparatory process, Ambassador Pedersen of Norway and Ambassador Talbot of Guyana. Earlier this week, we came together to finalize this critical undertaking – to reflect on and agree to a new framework and concrete actions to finance sustainable development.
At the same time, to succeed in this effort, we need all stakeholders on board, working together toward our common goals. I am delighted that so many were represented here in Addis Ababa – governments, financial and trade institutions, civil society, the business sector, philanthropy, academia and the international community at large.
We had engaging discussions and heard concrete commitments and deliverables during the official programme of the Conference, at the CSO Forum, the International Business Forum, and at more than two hundred side events.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Most importantly, the outcome of the Conference is an outcome of the collective efforts by Member States.
The Addis Ababa Action Agenda adopted provides a comprehensive framework for all these actions, establishes a strong foundation to support the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda and demonstrates your strong commitment and determination in this regard.
This new global framework for financing sustainable development will help align all financing flows – domestic and international, public and private – with our economic, social and environmental priorities.
The concrete policy actions embedded in the framework draw upon all sources of finance, technology, innovation, trade and data. They mobilize the means for a global transformation toward sustainable development and will support the achievement of the SDGs.
I believe it is an outcome that we can all be proud of and that will stand the test of time.
Excellencies,
The Secretary-General has often said that Addis Ababa is the first of three milestones.
Now we have passed this first milestone. Thanks to the ambitious outcome you have just adopted, we remain on track for a successful Summit in September in New York and for reaching a meaningful agreement on climate in December in Paris.
But of course our efforts on financing and implementation cannot stop here. This is just a first step.
The Addis Ababa Action Agenda will serve as a guide for future actions by all stakeholders.
We will need all their contributions to achieve our ambitious goals.
Together, they will support a revitalized and strengthened global partnership for sustainable development that can end extreme poverty and deliver sustainable development for all.
The Action Agenda also provides us with a strong accountability mechanism. I look forward to seeing all of you at next year’s first Financing for Development Forum, where we will assess progress in implementation.
Only by staying engaged, will we ensure that the commitments we have made today will lead to tangible progress on the ground, in all countries and for all people.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all those unsung heroes, the local staff, ECA staff under the leadership of the Executive Secretary Dr. Carlos Lopes and staff from the UN Secretariat. You have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this Conference a success.
Some of you have travelled far from home. I wish you a safe journey back home.
I thank you.