With Less Than Eight Years to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals, ‘We Need Bold Action Now’, Deputy Secretary-General Says in Message to Conference

(Delayed for technical reasons)

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the SDG16 Conference 2022, “People-centred governance in a post‑pandemic world”, held in Rome on 21 and 22 April:

I send my warm greetings to everyone participating in this conference on SDG16 [Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions].  The global challenges we face are immense — from providing equitable access to vaccines, to securing peace for millions of people affected by conflict and violence, addressing unsustainable levels of debt, combating the climate crisis and tackling entrenched and growing inequalities.

Over the past 24 months, COVID-19 has caused tremendous human suffering.  It has threatened and reversed development gains, with the greatest impact falling on those already living in conditions of vulnerability, exclusion and fragility.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its promise to leave no one behind are a blueprint for the recovery from the pandemic, guiding our path towards a better future.  SDG 16 is an essential enabler of the entire 2030 Agenda and its promise of peace, stability, respect for human rights and effective institutions, based on the rule of law.  Success calls for a new era of governance. 

In his report on Our Common Agenda, the Secretary-General stressed the overwhelming need for a renewed social contract, anchored in human rights, to reduce inequalities and build trust between people and governments.  A renewed social contract should be based on people-centred governance, securing the participation of all in decisions that concern them, and opening up new spaces for engagement with all stakeholders.  It includes investment in social cohesion; an end to all forms of exclusion, discrimination and racism; access to justice for all; and a recommitment to the rule of law.

Innovation will be key in this new era.  By nurturing new modes of thinking and embracing new technologies and ideas, Government decision-making, service provision and interaction with citizens can be improved, expanded and deepened.  We must not neglect the potential that innovative tools, from big‑data analytics to predictive algorithms and machine learning can have on the ability of governments to improve people’s lives if properly harnessed.

With less than eight years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we need bold action now.  Strong, accountable institutions build resilient societies that can withstand shocks and crises and contribute to a safer world for all.  I wish you a successful conference and look forward to hearing about your discussions.  Thank you.