New Technology Bank Key Tool for Overcoming Poverty, Structural Challenges in Least Developed Countries, Deputy Secretary-General Says at Inauguration

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the inauguration of the Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, in Gebze, Turkey, today:

On behalf of the United Nations, I am delighted to participate in this significant milestone.

With this ceremony to mark the operationalisation of the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries, we celebrate today the achievement of the first target of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SDG target 17.8.  This is a tangible materialization of an important aspiration of the least developed countries and their partners.

The Secretary-General and I are fully committed to continue advocating for and supporting the realization of the full potential of the Technology Bank so it can fulfil its important mission in all 47 least developed countries.

I would like to thank the Government of Turkey, the least developed countries and their friends for their support to this important initiative.  I would also like to convey my appreciation to the Office of the High Representative, the various departments of the Secretariat and the agencies of the United Nations that have contributed to the operationalization of the Technology Bank.

The spirit of collaboration and partnership showed by the United Nations system throughout this process will continue to be important to its success.

Our common goal of advancing the objectives of the Istanbul Programme of Action and implementing the Sustainable Development Agenda in the least developed countries depend in large part on science, technology and innovation.  They are key to improving economic performance and social well-being and to building resilience.

By building technical, vocational, managerial and scientific capacity in least developed countries, we will make major strides towards our critical objective of leaving no one behind.

Enhancing capacity to generate scientific and technical knowledge and the ability to integrate innovative technologies is crucial to overcome least developed countries’ structural challenges and assist their efforts to eradicate poverty.  This includes harnessing and building on indigenous technologies and experience.

Technology has to diffuse to all communities to enable them to leapfrog traditional development challenges.  I am delighted that the Technology Bank brings this spirit in its approach to science, technology and innovation for the least developed countries.

The Technology Bank is the instrument of and for the least developed countries to promote their full integration into the world economy, promote social progress and build resilience.  We now have a collective responsibility to make it an effective tool.

I, therefore, appeal to Member States, the United Nations system and all stakeholders, including the private sector and philanthropic foundations, to contribute generously to the financing of this Technology Bank so it may reach its full potential.

I look forward to continuing to engage with all of you on the path forward as we work to build an inclusive, resilient, sustainable and peaceful future for all.