Going to the ministers at the UN Headquarters in New York, requested urgent action to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the midst of war, inequality and fiscal tension.
“The transformation is not only necessary, it is possible“He said, highlighting the historical commitments adopted in recent months: the pandemic agreement in the World Health Assembly in Geneva, undertakes to expand the marine areas protected in the third UN conference of the UN Ocean in Nice, and the new vision for global finances agreed in Seville in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.
“These are not isolated victories, they are signs of impulse and signs that multilateralism can deliver.“
The comments opened the ministerial segment of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the UN central platform to review the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs.
Come back
Guterres warned that the world is very far to meet the objectives of 2030.
“Only 35 percent of SDG’s objectives are on their way or progress moderate. Almost half moves too slowly. And 18 percent go back,” he said.
He urged governments to act urgently and ambition.
“Sustainable development objectives are not a dream. They are a plan: a plan to keep our promises to the most vulnerable people, among themselves and for future generations.“
Citing profits since 2015, including expanded social protection, the decrease in child marriage and the growing representation of women, said the SDGs are still “within reach” if world leaders channel resources and political will.
The general secretary also linked development and peace, pointing out violence in progress in Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine and other places.
“In each step, we know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.“He said, asking for immediate cesos and a renewed commitment to diplomacy.
The president of Ecosoc, Bob RAE, addresses the HLPF ministerial segment.
Duplicate multilateralism
Bob Rae, president of the Economic and Social Council, echoed the call of the Secretary General, warning that global interruption, climate change to economic disorder, requires a deeper solidarity.
“SDGs are not optional ideals, but essential commitments“, Said.
“Now is not the time we abandon our ideals … Now is the time to double our multilateral obligations to each other. “
Mr. RAE warned that the reduction of national budgets and the growing nationalist policy are undermining progress, but insisted that “multilateralism offers real and tangible benefits for people at all levels of society.”
He requested closest associations with civil society, local governments and the private sector, emphasizing that the SDGs must be “integrated into budgets and policies worldwide, not as disagree, but as the core of how governments should serve their people.”
Match ambition and delivery
Philémon Yang, president of the General Assembly, emphasized the alignment of political commitments with concrete action.
Praised him Seville’s commitment and last year’s pact for the future, whose objective is to reform global financial systems, expand climatic finances and strengthen international tax cooperation.
“The gap between ambition and delivery can only be closed through solidarity, resources and political will.“, Said.
“The 2030 Agenda deadlines are quickly approaching,” he warned. “We like it or not. And while progress is lagging, we have the tools and ambition to deliver.”
Responsibility and association
The HLPF, established at the UN Conference Rio+20 of the UN on Sustainable Development in 2012, serves as the main UN platform to monitor the progress of the SDG, even through voluntary national reviews (VNR).
This year’s forum, convened under the auspices of the ECOSOC, extends until July 23 with an approach to five objectives: health, gender equality, decent work, life under water and global associations.
More than 150 countries have presented VNRS, with 36 reports this year, which show national efforts and challenges in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Mr. Guterres praised reviews as “acts of responsibility” and “templates for other countries to continue and learn.”
With only five years to meet the world objectives, he urged ministers to “Transform these sparks of transformation into a glow of progress, for all countries.“