Delegates Highlight National Progress, Obstacles to Realizing 2030 Agenda
While trumpeting the virtues of multilateralism, speakers in the Economic and Social Council’s high-level segment today warned that the principle is under attack as conflict and one-sided economic policies threaten to obstruct — or, in some cases, reverse — development gains as 2030 draws near.
The segment, which includes the three-day ministerial meeting of the High-level Political Forum, began on Monday, 21 July, and continues through Thursday, 24 July. It is being held under the theme of “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals] for leaving no one behind”.
“While multilateralism is being tested, the attainment of the SDGs remains Thailand’s priority,” said Maris Sangiampongsa, that country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. To achieve that sustainable development, he underlined the need for adequate, sustained financing, as well as strong partnerships to enhance development cooperation. And, while Thailand is advancing regional collaboration to tackle transnational crimes that threaten human security — such as online scams and human trafficking — he underscored that “meaningful and sustainable changes begin at home”.
Many speakers today sought to describe exactly that. Ludovic Ngatse, Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Integration of the Republic of Congo, pointed to notable progress in the health sector in his country. This includes decreased rates of maternal mortality, improved vaccination coverage and progress towards universal healthcare. Further, the Government has instituted reforms to operationalize an integrated financing framework; modernize its statistical system; and mobilize new partnerships to support the green economy and improve transportation infrastructure — “essential for inclusive growth”, he noted.
The representative of Georgia outlined his Government’s continued “localization process” for the SDGs, which aims to fully implement the Goals in all 64 municipalities by the end of 2025. He drew particular attention to Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), “which remains a backbone for the advancement of all other SDGs”. In that context, he underlined Georgia’s efforts to strengthen corruption-free, effective, accountable and transparent institutions. Additionally, the Government is working to promote the sustainable management of rivers, basin districts and coastal areas as a single interconnected system.
In slight contrast, the representative of New Zealand stressed that the SDGs are “interlinked and indivisible, with no goal more important than another”. Reporting on her country’s progress, she said that the Government works to advance ocean governance and equitable access to health services. On the former, she said that New Zealand has committed over $200 million to “sustainable fisheries and ocean support in our Pacific region” since 2022. It also advocates for an ambitious plastic-pollution treaty, as well as the elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and harmful fisheries subsidies.
Oman’s representative said that the Government prioritizes progress on education and health, as they are both fundamental rights and pillars of sustainable human development. “We also adopt digital transformation as a strategic tool for innovation and advancement through developing artificial-intelligence applications and using them in development sectors,” she emphasized. Oman also works to enhance its capacity to adapt to climate change and has signed 13 agreements involving renewable energy and green hydrogen.
Calls for Urgent Reform of Financial System
Also spotlighting progress achieved was the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania, who noted reduced maternal mortality rates, increased participation for women and economic growth of 5.5 per cent in 2024. The Government is also working to protect oceans, fight illegal fishing and reduce plastic waste, as well as to improve digital services and raise more domestic funds. She expressed support for the urgent reform of global financial systems, a point on which countries agreed at the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla.
“My country believes that multilateralism is the only way to build a more inclusive and sustainable future,” said the representative of the United Arab Emirates. As the Government works to advance women’s rights and address climate change domestically, internationally it aims to “reduce visual disability for thousands of people in Asia and Africa”. He added: “Our ministry of investment is managing investment flows with transformative capacity to strengthen innovation and to ensure sustainable economic opportunities.”
Along those lines, the representative of Sweden underscored that “financing must be at the heart of our discussions”, as global needs are extensive and the funding gap is growing. Together with the European Union, Sweden is the world’s largest provider of official development assistance (ODA), as well as a leading contributor of climate finance, humanitarian assistance and support to development banks and the UN system. However, acknowledging that ODA will be insufficient to bridge the financing gap, she underlined the need to efficiently support countries’ ownership in driving national reforms.
Attacks on Health, Civilian Infrastructure Must End
The Government of Estonia is “trying to do its part by sharing its knowledge in the field of digital health solutions”, said that country’s representative, spotlighting “e-health records, e-prescriptions and e-ambulance” services. However, she — like others today — expressed concern that indiscriminate attacks on health infrastructure in conflicts around the world always hit the most-vulnerable the hardest, especially children. “This has to stop,” she stressed.
Providing an example was the representative of Myanmar, who said that the military junta has “deliberately attacked the healthcare system” and has targeted workers “for providing medical assistance”. That junta has also suppressed women for voicing their fundamental rights, and he underscored: “Myanmar is witnessing a serious regression of previous development achievements.” Echoing the Secretary-General’s call for “an end to the horror and bloodshed”, he declared that “the military junta and its agency of destruction are not any part of the solution for Myanmar’s development or peace agenda”.
Elsewhere, the Houthis have “destroyed the hopes of a nation striving for peace and development”, said Yemen’s representative. Their targeting of infrastructure and ports has led to a “complete halt” in oil exports, he stated, which has had a “devastating” effect on the Government’s ability to provide essential services and pay salaries. As a result, about 80 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, 60 per cent suffer from food insecurity and about 40 per cent of children under five years old are malnourished.
And, in Ukraine, that country’s representative said that the Russian Federation’s ongoing invasion has caused “enormous” human suffering and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Yet, despite the war, Ukraine is “working to rebuild our country with a strong focus on sustainability, inclusion and resilience”, she said. Offering a real-world context of development in crisis, she noted that over 20 UN agencies are currently operating in Ukraine “under missile attacks”. Nevertheless, she commended Ukraine’s partners for their help to “transform this war-driven crisis into an opportunity for sustainable recovery”.
Obstacles Due to Conflict-Related Environmental Threats
Israel’s representative, noting that this is “a time of great difficulty for my country”, said that “every part and every community in our society” has been affected since the “cruel and violent attack” that occurred on 7 October 2023. In addition, attacks from across the border have started fires that destroyed natural reserves, national parks and fragile ecosystems. “Around 100 square kilometres of land have burned, and Israeli is a very little country,” he emphasized. Yet, despite these hardships, Israel is committed to the SDGs, as the current crisis has made clear that the Goals are an important guide for rebuilding and recovery.
Also detailing conflict-related environmental threats was the representative of Iran, who stressed that attacks against peaceful nuclear facilities “have heightened the risk of nuclear-material contamination, posing catastrophic environmental consequences”. While Iran works to protect the environment — including by implementing a coastal-zone management plan, a biodiversity-conservation initiative and a pollution-monitoring programme — he underscored that unilateral coercive measures “constitute a major obstacle to international cooperation”.
Current International System Prioritizes Capital over Human Dignity
Others, such as the representative of Venezuela, felt similarly. He stressed that the 2030 Agenda goes unfulfilled not due to a lack of commitment from developing countries; rather, it is “the direct result of an international system that remains unjust, asymmetrical and dominated by a small group of interests that prioritize capital over human dignity”. More than 1,000 sanctions have been imposed on Venezuela, deliberately blocking access to resources, financial markets and essential technologies. “This is not just an attack on our national economy, but a direct assault on the rights of 30 million Venezuelans,” he stressed.
“We are denied the resources for development, while trillions are allocated to finance war and genocide,” said Cuba’s representative, as she painted a grim picture of global priorities. Rejecting unilateral coercive measures that hinder development, she stressed that achieving the 2030 Agenda requires a “profound rethinking of the current international order”. This “transformative agenda”, she stressed, should include reforms to the international financial system, better lending terms and inclusive, effective international tax cooperation.
Renewed Commitment, Action on 2030 Agenda Key to More Just, Resilient World
The representative of Malta, like others today, said that the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations serves as a reminder of the urgent need for renewed commitment to — and action on — the 2030 Agenda. “It remains our pathway to a more just, resilient and sustainable world for current and future generations,” she emphasized. But, with only five years remaining, the need to deliver on the 17 SDGs has never been greater. “Malta faces unique vulnerabilities — from climate change to economic and demographic pressures — yet remains firm in our commitment to the SDGs and the principle of leaving no one behind,” she stressed.
“This is the time for political partnership and solidarity, not retrenchment,” stated the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer. “We condemn all forms of aggression and reiterate our commitment to a multilateral system based on human rights, international law, humanitarian law and the UN Charter,” he added. To eradicate poverty and hunger, it is important to target inequalities within and between countries, as well as those between men and women, and to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
“We have rolled up our sleeves a long time ago, and we are eager to keep partnering and to keep making this happen together,” he concluded.
