Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for the opening of the United Nations World Data Forum, held in Hangshou from 24 to 27 April:
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
NEW YORK, 20 April (Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea) — In another development of importance, following the finalization of the draft agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, United Nations Member States have approved the scope and detailed outline of the third World Ocean Assessment.
The Resident Coordinator in Haiti today signed with host authorities the five-year United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework — a road map to boost sustainable development and address the root causes of instability.
Calls for Indigenous Peoples’ full inclusion took centre stage once again as the Permanent Forum today continued its twenty-second session, with speakers underscoring their need to ensure their full participation in realizing the Forum’s six mandated points, including their social and economic development and the preservation of their culture and languages, as well as their environment.
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Major Economies Forum, held virtually today:
Expressing grave concern over recent shocks that are threatening sustainable development worldwide, the Economic and Social Council concluded its Financing for Development Forum today with the adoption of an outcome document aimed at reforming the international financial architecture in order to adapt to global economic changes and expedite progress towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Calling attention to the myriad challenges, violations and injustices faced by their communities, speakers stressed that the rights of Indigenous Peoples cannot be realized without their full, meaningful representation and participation in decision-making processes at all levels affecting their territories, governance and families, as the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues continued its twenty-second session with a day-long discussion on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Somalia on his annual solidarity visit for Ramadan early on Tuesday morning, 11 April.
On the third day of its annual Financing for Development Forum, the Economic and Social Council heard from speakers stressing the need to address structural and financing roadblocks that condemn developing countries to struggle with the multiple crises of climate change, sustainable infrastructure transformation, and international tax cooperation in tackling illicit financial flows.
