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

Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region
Reception
Wednesday, 2 April 2025 at 6.15 p.m.
Bar Serpent, Palais des Nations

Excellencies, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my congratulations to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and its Executive Secretary, Ms. Tatiana Molcean, on the successful 9th Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Switzerland and the Canton and the City of Geneva for hosting this generous reception this evening.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We know that the international community is facing unprecedentedly challenging times. And amongst the many challenges is the fact that progress on the 2030 Agenda and most of the Sustainable Development Goals is either moving too slowly or has regressed below the 2015 baseline. Poverty, hunger and inequality have increased. Human rights are under threat around the world. The effects of climate change and pollution are worsening. I could go on.

Last year, as part of the Pact for the Future, world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the 2030 Agenda. Recognizing that the achievement of the Sustainable Goals is in peril, the international community committed to take bold, ambitious, accelerated, just and transformative actions to implement the 2030 Agenda, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind. These actions include concrete political steps and mobilizing significant additional financing from all sources for sustainable development, with attention to the needs of those in special situations and creating opportunities for young people.

Inclusive multilateral cooperation is key to these efforts. The United Nations cannot achieve the Goals alone. Nor can Member States achieve the Goals alone. Like many of the multifaceted challenges that our world faces, we must work together to make progress. I am therefore particularly encouraged to see that the Regional Forum is a truly multi-stakeholder forum, building upon the Secretary-General’s call for inclusive multilateralism by involving not only governments but also international organizations, civil society, the private sector, youth and more.

Ladies and gentlemen,

With only five years remaining until 2030, and in light of the renewed global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals as part of the Pact for the Future, the Regional Forum is an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders from around the Europe region to share ideas and initiatives to accelerate progress towards the implementation of the Goals. I would like to congratulate you on the progress you have made so far today, and to urge you to continue – indeed, accelerate - your energy and commitments tomorrow. Time is ticking. Let’s work together to achieve the promises we have made to our people and to our planet.

Thank you.