Director-General's remarks for the Closing of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region

Closing of the Regional Forum 
on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region 
“Transforming together: innovative and equitable action for the SDGs”

Wednesday, 22 April 2026 at 4.30 p.m.
 Tempus, Palais des Nations

Delivered on behalf of the Director-General by Mr. Erik Marzolf, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Office of the Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva

Distinguished Co-Chairs,
Mr. Maryasin,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honor for me to take the floor on behalf of the Director-General, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya.

Regrettably, the Director-general is unwell today and therefore unable to join you this afternoon. She has asked me to convey the following message:

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear colleagues,

It is a pleasure to take the floor at the closing of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region.  

Allow me to thank Executive Secretary Molcean and the UNECE Secretariat for their leadership in convening this successful Forum under the theme “Transforming together: innovative and equitable actions for the SDGs”. I also extend my gratitude to all of you for your engagement and your commitment to advancing the 2030 Agenda.

This Forum has taken place at a defining moment. With less than five years remaining until 2030, we are facing not only a development gap, but also a credibility gap. The distance between our commitments and their implementation risks undermining trust in multilateralism - at a time when it is needed most.

In a global context marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and accelerating climate impacts, the Regional Forum has a critical role to play in preserving momentum towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the face of multiple crises.

Over the past two days, you reviewed progress across key Goals - from water and energy, to infrastructure, innovation, cities and partnerships. The conclusion is clear: progress is uneven, and in some areas reversing. Yet the solutions are known. What is required now is political will, coherence, and scale.

Excellencies,

A defining strength of this Forum is its multistakeholder nature, supported by the close ties with International Geneva and its unique ecosystem of international, non-governmental and scientific organizations. At a time of increasing fragmentation, this model of cooperation is not only valuable - it is essential.

Accelerating SDG progress will require us to better connect policy with practice, by tapping into Geneva’s technical and diplomatic expertise - whether on digitalization, water, energy transition or innovation - and ensuring that these translate into practical, scalable solutions.

Dear colleagues,

The discussions on “Beyond GDP,” to which UNOG’s Beyond Lab contributed, point to a deeper shift that is needed. A broader understanding of human progress - one that integrates well-being, resilience and equity - is indispensable for effective policymaking. What we measure shapes what we deliver.

Excellencies,

This Forum contributes to the High-level Political Forum and to wider efforts to renew and strengthen multilateralism.

Through the Pact for the Future, Member States have reaffirmed the need for a more effective, inclusive and results-oriented international system. This requires accelerating implementation, strengthening cooperation across sectors and borders, and ensuring that innovation delivers tangible impact.

It also requires that we look beyond 2030. The SDGs were never intended as an endpoint, but as a framework for long-term transformation. Our responsibility is to ensure that their principles are fully embedded in national policies, institutions and economic models – so that sustainable development becomes a permanent guiding framework, not a time-bound agenda.

The UNECE region has both the capacity and the responsibility to lead by example.

At the United Nations Office at Geneva, we remain committed to supporting you - by connecting actors, fostering dialogue, and enabling cooperation across this unique ecosystem. But ultimately, success will depend on decisions taken at national level - and on our ability to act collectively.

Dear colleagues,

As you leave this Forum, the focus must now shift to implementation. Let us move from analysis to action, from commitments to accountability, and from incremental progress to systemic change.

Thank you.

This was the message of the Director-General. Thank you for your attention.