Citing a wave of recent international agreements on pandemic preparedness, ocean protection and development financing, Guterres acknowledged the world is falling behind on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but insisted “transformation is not only necessary, it is possible”.
Speaking at the ministerial opening of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday, he pointed to three recent breakthroughs: a pandemic agreement reached at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, marine conservation pledges made at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, and the new global finance vision adopted at the Financing for Development summit in Sevilla. “These are not isolated wins,” he said. “They are signs of momentum and signs that multilateralism can deliver.”
However, the UN chief warned that only 35% of SDG targets are currently on track or making moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly, while 18 per cent are regressing.
Calling for renewed urgency and ambition, Guterres said the SDGs remain achievable, but only with stronger political will and investment.
“The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream. They are a plan – a plan to keep our promises to the most vulnerable people, to each other, and to future generations.”
He linked development to peace, pointing to conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine as reminders that “sustainable peace requires sustainable development”.
Also addressing the forum, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Bob Rae echoed the call to revitalise global cooperation. “Now is not the time to abandon our ideals,” he said. “It is the time to double down on our multilateral obligations to one another.”
UN General Assembly President Philémon Yang added that international goals must be backed by action, saying “the gap between ambition and delivery” can only be closed through “solidarity, resources and political will”.
The HLPF, which runs until July 23, is reviewing progress on five SDGs, health, gender equality, decent work, life below water, and global partnerships.
--UN/ChannelAfrica--
