Inclusive Economic Growth, Transparent Government Essential for Building Robust, Twenty-First Century Economies, Secretary-General Tells Egypt Conference

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, as delivered by Li Yong, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), to the Egypt Economic Development Conference, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from 13 to 15 March:

I am pleased to convey my greetings to all those gathered for the Egypt Economic Development Conference.  This Conference takes place at a vital time in global development, as Member States are hard at work crafting a post-2015 agenda and sustainable development goals that are people centred and planet sensitive.

Egypt has a critical role to play.  The importance of this country to the region and the global community beyond it cannot be overstated.  In Egypt — as it is around the world — inclusive economic growth, a free press, a thriving civil society, a credible and trusted system of justice, and an inclusive, transparent and accountable Government that promotes and respects all human rights, are all essential to building dynamic and robust twenty-first century economies.

Development also requires security and stability, which is sustainable when security is the product of public consent, stability is the outcome of legitimacy, and peace the result of justice, democracy and good governance.  Countries cannot attain lasting development without working to address discrimination and inequality and ensuring that prosperity is broadly shared.  We have seen too clearly the cost of economic and social disenfranchisement, and we must work together to help build a better, fairer, more inclusive future for all.

Thank you for coming together to advance sustainable development and social justice.  Best wishes for a successful conference.