Agenda 2030 ‘To-Do List for People and Planet’, Secretary-General Tells World Leaders Ahead of Adoption

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, in New York today:

We have reached a defining moment in human history.  The people of the world have asked us to shine a light on a future of promise and opportunity.  Member States have responded with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The new Agenda is a promise by leaders to all people everywhere.  It is a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world.  It is an agenda for people, to end poverty in all its forms; an agenda for the planet, our common home; an agenda for shared prosperity, peace and partnership; it conveys the urgency of climate action; it is rooted in gender equality and respect for the rights of all; above all, it pledges to leave no one behind.

The true test of commitment to Agenda 2030 will be implementation.  We need action from everyone, everywhere.  Seventeen sustainable development goals are our guide.  They are a to-do list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success.

To achieve these new global goals, we will need your high-level political commitment.  We will need a renewed global partnership.

The Millennium Development Goals showed what is possible when we work together.  The Addis Ababa Action Agenda has given us a solid financing framework.  Let us build on these foundations.

To do better, we must do differently.  The 2030 Agenda compels us to look beyond national boundaries and short-term interests and act in solidarity for the long-term.  We can no longer afford to think and work in silos.

Institutions will have to become fit for purpose, a grand new purpose.  The United Nations system is strongly committed to supporting Member States in this great new endeavour.

We need to start the new era on the right foot.  I call on all Governments to adopt a robust universal climate agreement in Paris in December.  I am encouraged that several countries are already working to incorporate the 2030 Agenda into their national development strategies.

But, no one can succeed working alone.  We must engage all actors, as we did in shaping the Agenda.  We must include parliaments and local governments, and work with cities and rural areas.  We must rally businesses and entrepreneurs.  We must involve civil society in defining and implementing policies — and give it the space to hold us to account.  We must listen to scientists and academia.  We will need to embrace a data revolution.  Most important, we must set to work — now.

Seventy years ago, the United Nations rose from the ashes of war.  Governments agreed on a visionary Charter dedicated to “We the Peoples”.  The Agenda you are adopting today advances the goals of the Charter.  It embodies the aspirations of people everywhere for lives of peace, security and dignity on a healthy planet.

Let us today pledge to light the path to this transformative vision.  I count on your strong leadership and commitment.  Thank you.