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STATEMENT
by
H. E. Mr. František Ružička
Permanent Representative of Slovakia
to the United Nations
High-Level Political Forum on SDGs
“Ensuring to Left No One Behind”
Ne York, 20 July 2016
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Distinguished President of ECOSOC, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
• Let me express my gratitude to the President of ECOSOC Ambassador Oh Joon for
convening this annual HLPF session which provides space for the Member States and
other stakeholders to discuss the kick-off of the implementation of Agenda 2030.
This meeting will mark the final transition to a new paradigm shift for sustainable
development.
• The main theme of this meeting “Ensuring That No One is Left Behind” = our
strong commitment for 7 bil. people. Cannot be stronger and can be relatively easily
measured. We have blueprint for Planet to meet in 14 years. There is no luxury to
waste a single day, otherwise we waste the Planet.
• We appreciate voluntary national reviews and praise the countries which took
courage to present their plans for the implementation of Agenda 2030.
• It is a lesson for my country – Slovakia, and many others to learn from these
reviews.
• There is no need to repeat what a remarkable period we had in 2015 when many global
documents were adopted in New York, Addis Ababa, Paris and Sendai. Now we all
are responsible for implementing this agenda.
• The implementation of Agenda 2030 will require innovation in policy-making process.
I believe that we have already changed our mindset. Have begun to think differently.
Have taken decisions to implement what we have agreed upon.
• Peace and inclusivity for sustainable development is a must. Without applying the
principles of good governance, rule of law, respect for human rights, security and
justice no goal can be implemented and the SDGs cannot be reached.
• We have to accelerate our activities in the years to come in all areas of critical
importance for humanity and the planet. It will require a high level of political will
to achieve the eradication poverty and hunger in all its forms and dimensions.
• Slovakia is ready to carry its share. To implement its national program as well as to
demonstrate its solidarity with the most vulnerable by sharing practical experience
from transformations we have gone through.
• Our Government adopted a decision which commits the ministries and other bodies of
the state administration to developing strategies on implementation of Agenda
2030 as well as it presented a “shared management framework” which breaks up
the SDGs and targets between the ministries.
• Just a few months after the adoption of the new development agenda Slovakia held a
multi-stakeholder thematic retreat on development cooperation policy in order to
reflect upon the new opportunities, but also challenges. This was a clear example of
partnerships in action resulting in concrete ideas to address the main issues.
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• Slovakia as current President of the Council of the European Union will be actively
involved in tackling global issues. The priorities of our presidency are fully in
accordance with the priorities of Agenda 2030.
• Finally: The implementation of Agenda 2030 should be guided by the principle of
accountability and inclusivity. The review mechanism should be supported by a
strong national ownership recognizing that each country has the primary
responsibility for its own development.
• At the same time we have to take into account different national capacities,
circumstances and vulnerabilities of countries. No progress can be achieved
without paying due attention to most vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Mr. President, let me finish with a promise – Slovakia will remain actively engaged in
the implementation of Agenda 2030 and will further support the countries most in
need.
