ECOSOC President Calls For Tackling Development Challenges At Key UN Conference
Muhammad Irfan Published July 06, 2022 | 08:50 AM
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Jul, 2022 ) :The President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Collen Kelapile, has told a key annual development forum, which opened in New York Tuesday that harnessing partnerships to create a world of "peace and prosperity" that protects people and planet was the main goal of the gathering.
Kelapile, who is Botswana's UN Ambassador, opened the in-person High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) "on a note characterized by high hope and optimism" arguing that "we can and shall overcome our challenges".
The Botswana envoy had replaced Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram who led the ECOSOC in 2021.
Ambassador Kelapile outlined five reasons for his optimism "against all odds", beginning with successes in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, in many countries.
While acknowledging its detrimental effects on societies, people and the global development agenda, he said the pandemic has also "served as a wakeup call in exposing many aspects of our societies which were not right".
In this way, it has provided an opportunity to "rectify our ways of living�(and) fix the resilience of our socioeconomic and health systems".
Secondly, he pointed to the existing "blueprint to anchor our recovery," namely the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Despite rising inflation, major supply-chain disruptions, policy uncertainties and unsustainable debt in developing countries, all of which have slowed the global economy, Kelapile cited the latest forecast in the World Economic Situation and Prospects for global growth of 3.1 per cent.
"A good number of countries are institutionalizing the social protection measures they put in place during the pandemic�and (many) organizations are turning towards nature-positive economy".
Although countries have missed the target to vaccinate 70 per cent of their population against the virus by mid-year, "COVAX, the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool and the mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub can help us to move further ahead," he said as his third reason for hope.
In addition to the potential they bring for global immunization, health system protections, and risk reduction of emerging variants, the senior UN official noted a number of existing economic, financial and social solutions with more being rolled out, including an increase in International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Drawing Rights.
"We know the challenges and the solutions. What we need is the determination, courage, trust and solidarity to implement the solutions," said the ECOSOC chief.
He drew attention to the Forum participants gathering with the common purpose "to renew our commitment to the 2030 Agenda� (and) agree on ways to deliver on the pledge we made in the 2019 SDG Summit, to accelerate action to implement the SDGs in the Decade of Action and Delivery".
"And fifth, because of all this, I believe we are poised to have a successful 2022 HLPF�(that) comes up with actionable solutions � which strengthens global solidarity, deepens our understanding of our common challenges, allows us to learn from each other, expand our common ground and bolster our resolve to act together and support each other".
The ECOSOC president concluded by inviting the forum to "delve deeper into the discussions with open hearts and minds".
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reminded that Voluntary National Review (VNR) presentations � the process through which countries assess and present progress made toward implementing the 2030 Agenda � are now in their seventh year.
"The 44 countries presenting this year will bring the total number that have presented to 187 � meaning that we have achieved almost universal reporting," she stated, commending all States which have taken part.
The deputy UN chief noted "a stark illustration of the setbacks" wrought by the pandemic, conflicts, and the triple environmental crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, which have impacted education, healthcare, gender equality, and the economy.
However, she said that they also "offer hope" � drawing attention to cash transfer programmes, debt moratoriums for businesses, national resilience plans and government stimulus packages, which have brought "critical relief".
"They signal countries' unwavering commitment to sustainable development in the face of ongoing and new crises," Ms Mohammed said.
Despite being halfway through the 2030 Agenda timeframe, we are not living in "the 'halfway there' world that we imagined in 2015," she continued.
She said that transitions in renewable energy, food systems and digital connectivity along with "investments in human capital, financing the opportunities," are need to turn multiple crises into opportunities.
"The 'SDG Moment' during the General Assembly in September this year will be an opportunity to focus on these deep transitions, and on the work needed to get us back on track. It will also be an important milestone on the way to the 2023 SDG Summit," she stated.
Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) presented the Secretary-General's SDG progress report along with another focusing on long-term future trends and scenarios, which takes stock of recent technological and policy trends as they impact the SDGs.
He pointed out that compared to the pre-pandemic level, an additional 75 million to 95 million people will be pushed into extreme poverty in 2022.
"The urgent need for international solidarity and multilateral cooperation cannot be stressed enough," said the DESA chief.
"We must remain committed to the people-centered and planet focused path to prosperity that we set out in the 2030 Agenda. This can only happen if we all act together".
In her remarks, Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) called attention to how sexual and reproductive health and rights accelerate the SDGs.
"The right to sexual and reproductive health � to make decisions over one's own body and future � is central to gender equity," she spelled out.
Meanwhile QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlighted the need to increase the resilience of agrifood systems against shocks to prevent the acceleration of global food insecurity.
"We are at serious risk of facing a food access crisis now, and probably a food availability crisis for the next season," putting at risk efforts to achieve the global goals, he warned.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
President Raisi leaves for Iran from Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
15 hours ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
2 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
3 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
3 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
3 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
3 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
5 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
9 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
10 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
10 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
13 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
15 days ago