H.E. Mr. Oh Joon, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN and President of ECOSOC
Closing REMARKS
H.E. Mr. Oh Joon
President of ECOSOC
2016 High-level Political Forum
Wrap up Session
New York, UN HQ (TCC)
15 July 2016, 17:30
________________________________________
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have come to conclude the first five days' discussions at the 2016 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
We have had presentations and debates in search of the best means and practices of implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In line with this year’s HLPF’s theme, we have examined ways to ensure that no one will be left behind in our efforts.
The main messages from our discussions during these five days will be conveyed to the ministers and other high-level participants next week.
Distinguished Delegates,
We are all responsible for implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, whether we work for our governments, for civil society organizations, or for private companies – big or small.
In this regard, I would like to ask each and every one of you to take some moments to reflect on the discussions we have had so far.
I myself would like to highlight just a few key messages from the last five days of our intense discussion, in particular, bearing in mind the theme of this year’s Forum, “Ensuring that no one is left behind”.
First, social inclusion underpins sustainable development.
Inclusion remains a challenge for both developed and developing countries.
Second, no progress will be achieved without paying due attention to the most vulnerable in our society. Vulnerable and marginalized groups must be involved in decision-making as partners and rights-holders and as a source of knowledge.
Third, we need policies and institutions to support the different dimensions of inclusion. This includes social security, macroeconomic policies, education, labour and political institutions and policies, among many others.
In particular, in many sessions education was identified as a critical link and precondition for leaving no one behind.
Fourth, there is ample recognition of the need to involve multiple stakeholders, governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, international organizations, in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and this has been observed in regional processes as well.
Fifth, regional forums on sustainable development have been constituted in all 5 regions of the regional commissions, and these forums are already active in mobilizing the Member States of each region together in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. These forums will be a key part of the follow-up review of all implementation of the 2030 Agenda establishing a linking between national and global processes.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is now time to make the transition towards the Ministerial segment of this Forum next week.
At this juncture, I believe that the past five days have shown that the HLPF can fulfill its mandate and serve efficiently as the central platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Let us continue to demonstrate that commitment and enthusiasm to reach the Sustainable Development Goals in the Ministerial Segment of the HLPF next week.
I wish you all a good weekend and look forward to our discussions next week.
Thank you. /END/
H.E. Mr. Oh Joon
President of ECOSOC
2016 High-level Political Forum
Wrap up Session
New York, UN HQ (TCC)
15 July 2016, 17:30
________________________________________
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have come to conclude the first five days' discussions at the 2016 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
We have had presentations and debates in search of the best means and practices of implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In line with this year’s HLPF’s theme, we have examined ways to ensure that no one will be left behind in our efforts.
The main messages from our discussions during these five days will be conveyed to the ministers and other high-level participants next week.
Distinguished Delegates,
We are all responsible for implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, whether we work for our governments, for civil society organizations, or for private companies – big or small.
In this regard, I would like to ask each and every one of you to take some moments to reflect on the discussions we have had so far.
I myself would like to highlight just a few key messages from the last five days of our intense discussion, in particular, bearing in mind the theme of this year’s Forum, “Ensuring that no one is left behind”.
First, social inclusion underpins sustainable development.
Inclusion remains a challenge for both developed and developing countries.
Second, no progress will be achieved without paying due attention to the most vulnerable in our society. Vulnerable and marginalized groups must be involved in decision-making as partners and rights-holders and as a source of knowledge.
Third, we need policies and institutions to support the different dimensions of inclusion. This includes social security, macroeconomic policies, education, labour and political institutions and policies, among many others.
In particular, in many sessions education was identified as a critical link and precondition for leaving no one behind.
Fourth, there is ample recognition of the need to involve multiple stakeholders, governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, international organizations, in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and this has been observed in regional processes as well.
Fifth, regional forums on sustainable development have been constituted in all 5 regions of the regional commissions, and these forums are already active in mobilizing the Member States of each region together in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. These forums will be a key part of the follow-up review of all implementation of the 2030 Agenda establishing a linking between national and global processes.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is now time to make the transition towards the Ministerial segment of this Forum next week.
At this juncture, I believe that the past five days have shown that the HLPF can fulfill its mandate and serve efficiently as the central platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Let us continue to demonstrate that commitment and enthusiasm to reach the Sustainable Development Goals in the Ministerial Segment of the HLPF next week.
I wish you all a good weekend and look forward to our discussions next week.
Thank you. /END/