51吃瓜

The UN General Assembly’s Second Committee began its general debate for the seventieth session on 7 October, putting a focus on the implementation of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Focusing on economic development, country representatives, UN officials and scholars from academic institutions gathered to discuss a range of economy-related issues including global partnerships, environmental issues, gender equality and policy questions.

“The 2030 Agenda comes at a time when the international community is facing important challenges,” said Wu Hongbo, UN DESA’s Under Secretary-General in his opening statement. He underlined the historic significance of the adoption of this new agenda, encompassing 17 Sustainable Development Goals, saying that it “builds on the progress of the Millennium Development Goals, and marks the start of a new era.”

Mr. Wu also pointed to some of the challenges facing the international community, from weak economic growth to geopolitical tensions and climate change. He also called for special attention to the poorest and most vulnerable countries, adding that they must be given policy space and opportunities for engagement in the political process.

“The overarching goal of the Agenda is to ‘leave no one behind,’ and its success will ultimately be measured by its impact on the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in all countries,” Mr. Wu said.

Giving the keynote address, Abhijit Banerjee, Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told delegates that when it comes to solving socioeconomic problems, what mattered was “not the will but the way.” He also encouraged governments to focus on small and specific strategies that worked instead of putting bandages on big problems, suggesting that “solutions to big problems could be found at small levels.”

All delegates recognized the urgent need to tackle climate change. They showed their support, as well as looked forward to the outcome of the upcoming Climate Change Conference which will be held in Paris this December.

Although the global community is facing many challenges, the dedication shown in overcoming them by many Member States, addressing the Second Committee, brings hope as we move forward in implementing the new agenda. “We have laid the foundation for stronger global partnerships for sustainable development. There is great optimism, therefore, as we look beyond 2015,” concluded Mr. Wu.