Madam Chair,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Ambassador Janina, and the distinguished members of the Bureau on your election. I wish you every success in guiding the Committee¡¯s critical work during this session.
Excellencies,
The finish line of the 2030 Agenda is in sight, but there are obstacles in our path.
Multiple intersecting crises¡ªfrom geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty to climate shocks, food insecurity and debt distress ¡ªcontinue to slow progress across the SDGs.
Progress remains deeply uneven across the Goals and among countries. But our data and country reporting also tell us that success is still achievable when political will, targeted investment and strong partnerships align.
The global economic landscape is volatile and challenging. Trade fragmentation, conflict in the Middle East and climate disruptions weigh heavily on developing countries. While a severe downturn has been averted, based on DESA¡¯s latest assessments, the global economy is projected to grow by just 2.6 per cent in 2026 and 2.9 per cent in 2027, well below the pre-pandemic average.
Simultaneously, rising inflation, elevated borrowing costs, growing debt-servicing burdens, and declining official development assistance are shrinking the fiscal space of developing countries. This severely constrains their ability to invest in essential infrastructure, education, and climate resilience.
Rapid technological shifts, climate pressures and fragmenting geopolitics are forging new forms of exclusion ¡ªa challenge we address in the forthcoming World Social Report, calling for a new economics of social inclusion.
Predictably, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States remain most acutely at risk, with diminished capacity to absorb new shocks.
Distinguished delegates,
Dear colleagues,
We must be clear: the era of commitments without implementation must be behind us. The window between now and the 2027 SDG Summit is decisive; our actions over the next two years will significantly shape whether the 2030 Agenda survives.
To succeed, we must:
? Advance implementation of the Sevilla Commitment's debt agenda and strengthen the global financial safety net.
? Expand access to long-term, affordable financing and scale up multilateral development bank lending and impact.
? Boost domestic resource mobilization, including support for the ongoing negotiations on a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and its two early protocols.
? Scale up investments in sustainable development, climate resilience, digital transformation and food security, ensuring countries remain firmly in the driver's seat of their development strategies.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
The recent General Assembly decision on revitalization of the Second Committee reflects a commitment to renewal, efficiency, and impact. I urge you all to use these measures to strengthen the Committee¡¯s contribution to the final stretch of the 2030 Agenda.
As the Third UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty enters its final year, we must accelerate integrated, transformative action to eradicate poverty in all its dimensions, tackling the structural barriers facing those left furthest behind.
On operational activities for development, the Committee has an opportunity to advance the ongoing UN development system reform, in line with the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR).
Given this Committee¡¯s strong record on advancing the global energy discussions, I invite you all to consider whether the time has come to endorse the holding of a UN conference on energy to further elevate this vital issue.
Excellencies,
The path to 2030 is narrowing, but it remains open. Let this session prove that multilateralism is still our most effective instrument for overcoming global development challenges.
UN DESA and our partners across the system stand ready to support your deliberations.
I wish you a highly productive and successful session.
Thank you.