H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, President of the General Assembly
Statement at the High-Level Segment of ECOSOC and the Ministerial Segment of the UN HLPF on Sustainable Development
New York – 6 July 2015
Honourable Ministers,
Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council,
Deputy Secretary General,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to address the Ministerial Segment of the High Level Political Forum meeting under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.
This third meeting of the High-Level Political Forum is taking place at a critical juncture in the history of humanity and of the United Nations. We are now in the final stages of formulating a new universal framework that will guide our development efforts for the next 15 years.
Indeed, Member States and all stakeholders have a collective responsibility to ensure that the post-2015 development agenda, to be adopted by world leaders in September, is ambitious, inclusive and transformative. The core objectives of the proposed 17 sustainable development goals (SDGS), which will be the main component of the new agenda, are poverty eradication, improving livelihoods for all and achieving sustainable development in its social, economic and environmental dimensions.
We should redouble efforts to bring the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda to a successful conclusion, hopefully by the end of this month. But even more importantly, for our aspirations to be realized, adequate resources must be mobilized for implementing the new agenda.
To this end, we must ensure a successful outcome from the Third International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Addis Ababa next week, with concrete deliverables to support the implementation of the new agenda.
Given the scale of ambition reflected in the proposed SDGs, we require scaled-up mobilization of resources from all sources, public and private, domestic and international.
We also need to renew and enhance the global partnership for development, in support of developing countries, particularly those in special situations including Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDs) and Africa.
I would like to take this opportunity to urge all States to continue working constructively in order to finalize the few outstanding issues on the Addis Ababa Outcome, without further delay.
Our efforts towards improving the socio-economic welfare of all people everywhere have to be underpinned by the need to protect the environment and our planet. At the forthcoming twenty-first Conference of the Parties (COP21) on Climate Change to be held in Paris in December, the expectations are high worldwide that governments will deliver on their commitment to adopt a universal and meaningful climate change agreement.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
It is self-evident why successful outcomes from all of these processes will be critical towards achieving sustainable development and putting our world on a safer, more equitable, and sustainable pathway.
This session of the High Level Political Forum, therefore, is taking place at an opportune time. To realise an ambitious and transformative agenda, great effort will be required to ensure that the new agenda is incorporated into national development plans and implemented at all levels. It will also require a robust follow up and review framework.
The HLPF overall theme of this year “Strengthening integration, implementation and review – the HLPF after 2015” affords us an opportunity to discuss the elements for a successful, effective, participatory and inclusive implementation structure at all levels.
The deliberations at this session of the HLPF will deepen understanding of critical issues related to the post 2015 development agenda, and the vital role the Forum will play in ensuring that the new agenda is understood, communicated and achieved by the engagement of all actors.
In promoting coherence and coordination of sustainable development policies, the Forum will also be a key component of the post-2015 implementation architecture. Tracking progress and building on experiences with existing national, regional and global review networks and mechanisms will promote coherence and effective implementation.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the course of this General Assembly session, I have convened a series of high-level thematic debates and events to contribute to the post-2015 agenda, including on the means of implementation; gender equality and women’s empowerment; the promotion of tolerance and reconciliation; ways to strengthen cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations as well as harnessing the demographic dividend and youth employment.
The High-level Event on Climate Change held last week provided the much needed impetus and political momentum towards an ambitious climate agreement, under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The active engagement of governments and various stakeholders at these events demonstrates the great importance we all attach to these issues.
Let us spare no effort in working towards a new era of international cooperation that improves the everyday lives of people worldwide and protects our planet. I wish you successful deliberations.
Thank you for your attention.
New York – 6 July 2015
Honourable Ministers,
Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council,
Deputy Secretary General,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to address the Ministerial Segment of the High Level Political Forum meeting under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.
This third meeting of the High-Level Political Forum is taking place at a critical juncture in the history of humanity and of the United Nations. We are now in the final stages of formulating a new universal framework that will guide our development efforts for the next 15 years.
Indeed, Member States and all stakeholders have a collective responsibility to ensure that the post-2015 development agenda, to be adopted by world leaders in September, is ambitious, inclusive and transformative. The core objectives of the proposed 17 sustainable development goals (SDGS), which will be the main component of the new agenda, are poverty eradication, improving livelihoods for all and achieving sustainable development in its social, economic and environmental dimensions.
We should redouble efforts to bring the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda to a successful conclusion, hopefully by the end of this month. But even more importantly, for our aspirations to be realized, adequate resources must be mobilized for implementing the new agenda.
To this end, we must ensure a successful outcome from the Third International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Addis Ababa next week, with concrete deliverables to support the implementation of the new agenda.
Given the scale of ambition reflected in the proposed SDGs, we require scaled-up mobilization of resources from all sources, public and private, domestic and international.
We also need to renew and enhance the global partnership for development, in support of developing countries, particularly those in special situations including Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDs) and Africa.
I would like to take this opportunity to urge all States to continue working constructively in order to finalize the few outstanding issues on the Addis Ababa Outcome, without further delay.
Our efforts towards improving the socio-economic welfare of all people everywhere have to be underpinned by the need to protect the environment and our planet. At the forthcoming twenty-first Conference of the Parties (COP21) on Climate Change to be held in Paris in December, the expectations are high worldwide that governments will deliver on their commitment to adopt a universal and meaningful climate change agreement.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
It is self-evident why successful outcomes from all of these processes will be critical towards achieving sustainable development and putting our world on a safer, more equitable, and sustainable pathway.
This session of the High Level Political Forum, therefore, is taking place at an opportune time. To realise an ambitious and transformative agenda, great effort will be required to ensure that the new agenda is incorporated into national development plans and implemented at all levels. It will also require a robust follow up and review framework.
The HLPF overall theme of this year “Strengthening integration, implementation and review – the HLPF after 2015” affords us an opportunity to discuss the elements for a successful, effective, participatory and inclusive implementation structure at all levels.
The deliberations at this session of the HLPF will deepen understanding of critical issues related to the post 2015 development agenda, and the vital role the Forum will play in ensuring that the new agenda is understood, communicated and achieved by the engagement of all actors.
In promoting coherence and coordination of sustainable development policies, the Forum will also be a key component of the post-2015 implementation architecture. Tracking progress and building on experiences with existing national, regional and global review networks and mechanisms will promote coherence and effective implementation.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the course of this General Assembly session, I have convened a series of high-level thematic debates and events to contribute to the post-2015 agenda, including on the means of implementation; gender equality and women’s empowerment; the promotion of tolerance and reconciliation; ways to strengthen cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations as well as harnessing the demographic dividend and youth employment.
The High-level Event on Climate Change held last week provided the much needed impetus and political momentum towards an ambitious climate agreement, under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The active engagement of governments and various stakeholders at these events demonstrates the great importance we all attach to these issues.
Let us spare no effort in working towards a new era of international cooperation that improves the everyday lives of people worldwide and protects our planet. I wish you successful deliberations.
Thank you for your attention.