Following panel discussions on how the United Nations and its Member States can advance multilateral cooperation in a changing world, the Economic and Social Council today concluded its high-level segment with the adoption of a ministerial declaration in which world leaders pledged to “reach the furthest behind first”.
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the occasion of Africa Day at the High-level Political Forum 2025:
Amid growing inequality, escalating climate threats, persistent poverty, and widening digital divides, world leaders today warned that sustainable development remains critically off track — underscored by a staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap. At the conclusion of the High-level Political Forum held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, Member States adopted a ministerial declaration reaffirming the international community’s unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
While trumpeting the virtues of multilateralism, speakers in the Economic and Social Council’s high-level segment today warned that the principle is under attack as conflict and one-sided economic policies threaten to obstruct — or, in some cases, reverse — development gains as 2030 draws near.
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the joint Economic and Social Council and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) high-level dialogue on adequate housing, today:
The following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the ministerial segment of the high-level political forum on sustainable development, in New York today:
With just five years remaining to meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress is uneven — and in many areas, dangerously off track — amid shrinking national budgets, rising nationalism, and trade-disrupting tariffs, speakers warned today at the opening of the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council.
Nearly a decade since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 dedicated to achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls “remains the most off-track”, speakers told a United Nations high-level political forum today, calling for reinforced measures to accelerate progress against a tide of backsliding rights and opportunities.
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening of the 2025 high-level political forum on sustainable development, in New York today:
With only 35 per cent of targets on track or making moderate progress — while 47 per cent lag and 18 per cent have regressed, speakers warned a United Nations forum today that achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains possible, but the window of opportunity is rapidly closing, urging immediate action.
