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THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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REMARKS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONSULTATION ON OUR COMMON AGENDA/SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE
New York, 13 February 2023, 3:00 p.m.
[Bilingual, as delivered]
Mr. President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the eighteen months since the report on Our Common Agenda, we have made important progress.
You have been fundamental to that progress.
The breakthrough on loss and damage; the recognition on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; the Transforming Education Summit, the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection; and the decision to establish a UN Youth Office are all significant steps towards the transformations we need.
But they are clearly only the beginning. We need to go further and deeper.
On climate, on conflict, on inequality, on food insecurity, on nuclear weapons – we are closer to the edge than ever.
And yet our collective problem-solving mechanisms do not match the pace or scale of the challenges.
The present forms of multilateral governance, designed in and for a bygone era, are clearly not adequate to today’s complex, interconnected and rapidly changing and dangerous world.
The fragmentation of our global response and the fragmentation of our world are feeding off each other.
Today, we are here to start the job of moving the recommendations in Our Common Agenda from ideas to action – from abstract to concrete.
At the outset, I want to stress that Our Common Agenda is aimed at turbocharging the 2030 Agenda and making the Sustainable Development Goals real in the lives of people everywhere.
Because halfway to 2030, we are far off track.
We will only make up lost ground by addressing the gaps and challenges that have emerged since 2015 – including gaps in intergovernmental cooperation.
The SDG Summit in September will be the centrepiece of our work this year and must mark significant progress.
Member States must come with a clear commitment to rescue the SDGs – setting out their national vision for transformation, grounded in concrete plans, benchmarks and commitments.
An ambitious Political Declaration must recognize the far-reaching changes needed at both national and global levels.
It must prioritize and mobilize investment and action across the core transitions required to achieve the Goals.
The SDG Summit must make our commitment to leaving no one behind a reality in law and policy.
And it must include measures to ensure international systems relating to finance, trade, debt and technology work for developing countries – not against them.
I repeat my call on G20 countries to agree on a global SDG Stimulus of at least $500 billion a year to support countries of the Global South, by the SDG Summit.
Excellencies,
Our Common Agenda must build on the SDG Summit.
My report includes many proposals; we now need to look into the substance and detail.
Throughout this year, the Secretariat will issue a series of eleven policy briefs with concrete ideas for your consideration.
The proposals in the briefs will be strongly linked to the SDGs, responding to your observations during the five thematic consultations last year.
A first brief on the New Agenda for Peace will offer proposals that address all forms and domains of threats, articulating a vision of our work on peace and security for a world in transition and a new era of geopolitical competition.
It will take a holistic view of the peace continuum, from prevention, conflict resolution and peacekeeping to peacebuilding and sustainable long-term development.
It will set out a comprehensive approach to prevention and peacebuilding, linking peace, sustainable development, climate action, and human rights, and drawing on the approaches and expertise of women and young people.
The proposals will address the challenges faced by peacekeeping and recognize the need for a new generation of peace enforcement missions and counter-terrorist operations, led by regional forces, with guaranteed, predictable funding. And the African Union is an obvious partner in this regard.
The brief will include proposals to bring disarmament and arms control back to the centre of debate on peace and security, and to address threats from emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and cyberwarfare.
Excellencies,
Two policy briefs on finance will aim to advance the crucial discussions underway on a fairer and more effective global economy.
One will advance our work on metrics that go beyond Gross Domestic Product, so that decisions on debt relief, concessional funding and international cooperation take account of vulnerability, well-being, sustainability and other vital measures of progress.
Our current metrics simply ignore many important contributions to society, such as the care economy, while presenting harmful practices like deforestation and overfishing as beneficial. That paradoxically comes when we measure GDP.
The second brief will make proposals for root and branch reforms to the global financial architecture so that it delivers effectively and fairly for everyone, and particularly the Global South.
This brief will look at the radical transformation that is needed for globalization to benefit all.
Proposals will include strengthening the voice of the Global South in financial governance; creating a global financial safety net and a debt architecture that makes debt relief and restructuring available to all vulnerable countries, including middle-income ones; and aligning the objectives of the financial system with the Sustainable Development Goals.
It will propose ways to change the business model of multilateral development banks so they assume greater risk, and can massively leverage private funds to help developing countries accelerate the transition to renewable energy and invest in Sustainable Development Goals.
The Bridgetown Agenda that emerged from a collaboration between the Government of Barbados and the United Nations is making important progress in this area.
The aim is to make finance work for people, the planet and prosperity – aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
Excellencies,
A policy brief on our commitment to the needs of future generations will include a proposal for the appointment of an envoy to serve as their global voice. It will suggest content to inform a political declaration defining our duties to the future, and a dedicated intergovernmental forum to share experiences and advance implementation.
This brief will also set out ideas to make full use of our unprecedented capacity to forecast and understand the impact of current policies and activities.
A policy brief on improving the international response to complex global shocks will include proposals to convene and coordinate key players quickly in the event of an emergency, with access to the right data, expertise, resources and capacities.
There is no intention to set up new institutions or to infringe on the mandates of existing bodies. But this brief will propose guidelines to mobilize a coherent global response through an Emergency Platform. And this should provide high-level political leadership to coordinate effective multilateral action, advocacy and accountability.
A brief on global digital cooperation will offer ideas on maximizing and sharing the benefits of digital technology while protecting against the harms it can cause.
These ideas will build on our earlier roadmap, inspired by a vision of an inclusive, open, free, and secure digital future for all, based on one global Internet.
A Global Digital Compact will aim to move towards a vision of technology as a motor for human progress that can only deliver its full benefits when we deal with the harm it can cause.
Linked with this, we will issue a brief on information integrity.
Delivering a new social contract means restoring trust in each other and in the facts underpinning our decisions. We need an information ecosystem that is inclusive and safe for all. This brief will further strengthen our focus on how mis- and disinformation are impacting progress on global issues – including the climate crisis.
A brief on the peaceful, secure and sustainable use of outer space, its assets and its activities will look at harnessing the opportunities offered by space tools for delivering the SDGs and the Paris Agreement; and addressing threats and emerging risks.
The proposals in the brief will reinforce the centrality of Member States in governing space, while suggesting ways to further engage with non-governmental stakeholders.
And this brief will include recommendations on peace and security, on space traffic coordination, space debris, space resources, and our renewed efforts to explore deep-space.
Building on my vision statement and Summit report, it will include proposals to put education at the top of political agendas at national, regional and global levels, and to accelerate the transformation of financing for education.
The proposals will cover six key areas: the purpose of education; the learning environment; the teaching profession; harnessing digital transformation; investing in education; and multilateral support for quality education for all – according to Sustainable Development Goal Number 4.
Another brief will set out steps towards more systematic participation by young people in decision-making processes at the global level.
Establishing the new UN Youth Office was an important step forward. But we must build on it.
And so the brief will emphasize key areas for action, from safeguarding and protecting young people to making sure they have a strong voice in decision-making at the national and global levels.
This also holds true inside the UN system, including in preparations for decisions to be taken by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and in some matters the Security Council itself.
Finally, we will consider how to strengthen the capacities of the United Nations for the twenty-first century – and build a UN 2.0
It is not enough for the UN to have the right agenda. It also needs the expertise to work with Member States to execute that agenda. And like Member States, we need new skills, new expertise, new strategies, and programmes.
The policy brief on UN 2.0 will look at how we can strengthen our expertise in data, digital, innovation, foresight, and behavioural science – and build a UN System that can better support Members States in the years to come.
And all policy briefs will include an analysis on their impact in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and will be necessarily informed by the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, in the spirit of my Call to Action for Human Rights.
Gender equality will obviously be a cross-cutting theme.
Each brief will include specific language to promote the rights of women and girls.
Excellencies,
In addition to this series of policy briefs, I look forward to the recommendations from the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism and how we can fill the most consequential gaps in global governance, guided by the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda.
The Co-Chairs, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Stefan Löfven, will share their preliminary thinking with you tomorrow. The Board will publish its report in April.
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Excellences,
Un grand nombre des propositions énoncées dans ces notes d’orientation seront utiles à vos préparatifs en vue du Sommet de l’avenir qui se tiendra l’année prochaine.
Le Secrétariat est à l’entière disposition des co-facilitateurs pour soutenir leur travail critique dans le développement du processus intergouvernemental.
Ce Sommet sera une occasion générationnelle de donner un nouvel élan à l’action mondiale, de réaffirmer nos principes fondamentaux et d’élaborer des cadres multilatéraux adaptés au monde d’aujourd’hui et qui nous permettent d’avancer vers l’avenir que nous voulons.
L’un des principaux objectifs de Notre Programme commun est de triompher des obstacles et des entraves au Programme 2030, de combler les lacunes et de relever les défis nouveaux qui se présentent à nous à une vitesse et une fréquence impressionnantes.
Et le Sommet de l’avenir sera la plateforme où nous pourrons aborder ces questions, mettre en évidence les coûts d’une pensée à court terme et y remédier, et créer des garde-fous autour de l’impact des nouvelles technologies.
J’espère que le Sommet débouchera sur un Pacte pour l’avenir qui comprendra des mesures en faveur d’un système financier mondial équitable et juste, un engagement pour une planète sûre, pacifique et durable, et la mise de la technologie au service de l’humanité et la protection des générations futures.
Je vous exhorte à jouer pleinement votre rôle dans les consultations sur la préparation du Sommet et dans la réunion ministérielle préparatoire qui se tiendra en septembre.
Il s’agira-là d’occasions importantes de définir les axes, les principes et les résultats clés du Sommet.
Les conclusions du Sommet seront convenues au niveau intergouvernemental, par les États Membres. Mais vos préparatifs bénéficieront de la richesse des points de vue de la société civile, du monde universitaire, du secteur privé, des collectivités locales et régionales et d’autres acteurs.
C’est vous, les états membres, qui prendrez les décisions. Mais vous puiserez votre inspiration, votre énergie et vos idées dans bien d’autres domaines.
Excellences,
Nombre des propositions énoncées dans Notre Programme commun visent à renforcer l’action menée et les mandats existants face à de nouveaux défis. Les efforts en ce sens sont en bonne voie.
L’Accélérateur mondial pour l’emploi et la protection sociale fait avancer des idées portant sur l’inclusion économique des femmes, la création d’emplois dans l’économie verte et l’économie numérique, les garanties-jeunes pour l’emploi et un fonds mondial pour la protection sociale.
L’Accélérateur a été approuvé par le G7 et le G20 et un partenariat a été mis en place avec la Banque mondiale afin d’étendre la protection sociale à un milliard de personnes d’ici 2025.
Les travaux se poursuivent également sur les cinq mesures transformatrices pour renforcer l’égalité des genres, en mettant l’accent sur le soutien aux États Membres à l’échelle nationale. Une équipe spéciale des Nations Unies aide les États Membres à lutter contre les lois et les réglementations discriminatoires.
Plus largement, une nouvelle vision de l’État de droit se dessine, dont l’objectif est de placer les personnes au cœur du système judiciaire. Cette nouvelle vision permettra de renforcer le rôle central de l’État de droit dans nos activités et consolidera les liens entre l’État de droit, les droits humains et le développement.
Nous avançons dans les préparatifs du Sommet social mondial de 2025.
Ce sera là une occasion de mettre en pratique une nouvelle forme de délibération globale – une délibération fondée sur l’inclusion, la confiance et l’écoute, axée sur la lutte contre les inégalités et la promotion de l’esprit d’initiative, des chances et des droits des personnes.
Ce Sommet sera consacré aux principaux défis sociaux auxquels nous sommes confrontés en matière d’emploi, d’éducation, de logement et de protection sociale. La Troisième Commission a noté cette proposition et j’encourage les États Membres à la soutenir.
Nous avons également progressé dans la planification du sommet biennal qui devrait rassembler les membres du G20, l’ECOSOC, les dirigeants des institutions financières internationales et moi-même en ma qualité de Secrétaire général des Nations Unies.
Les États Membres ont pris note de cette proposition et des discussions sont en cours avec la présidence indienne du G20.
Excellences,
C’est là un programme de travail particulièrement fourni. Il constitue un défi, pour nous tous. Mais il est essentiel pour atteindre les Objectifs de développement durable et assurer notre avenir collectif.
Des processus et initiatives de négociation, nombreux et complexes, sont en cours cette année. Les processus intergouvernementaux sont exigeants et prennent du temps – mais ils sont essentiels si nous voulons avancer ensemble, unis autour de nos objectifs communs.
Cette année doit être celle où nous jetterons les bases d’une coopération mondiale plus efficace, adaptée aux défis d’aujourd’hui ainsi qu’aux nouveaux risques et menaces qui se profilent.
Toute mon équipe et moi-même – y compris le Secrétaire général adjoint Guy Ryder – sommes à votre disposition.
Je compte sur votre engagement, votre leadership et votre appui constants dans l’effort que nous menons ensemble pour un présent meilleur et un avenir plus prometteur.
Je vous remercie.
