Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Moment event, in New York today:
The Sustainable Development Goals were not handed down from above. They are a promise — forged by Member States and adopted as a shared commitment by every Government. A commitment grounded in the Charter of the United Nations and shaped by the aspirations of people everywhere. To build healthier, safer and more prosperous societies. Eradicating poverty and hunger. Fighting inequality and exclusion. Rooting out discrimination and disease. Protecting our planet. And leaving no one behind.
Since our journey began, we have together reduced child and maternal mortality. Prevented millions of new HIV infections. And expanded access to education, social protection, safe drinking water, sanitation, electricity, renewable energy and the Internet.
We have also faced profound setbacks. Most notably, a global pandemic that erased years of progress and exposed deep vulnerabilities. Through every crisis, we adapted. We learned. And we kept moving forward. Progress was never automatic. It was earned through the determination of people, communities and countries.
Yet today, development faces powerful headwinds. Conflicts, divisions and mistrust are weakening international cooperation. Crises in the Middle East and beyond continue to drive economic insecurity and disrupt food, energy and trade flows. The climate crisis is accelerating — bringing the 1.5°C limit dangerously closer. The rights of women and girls are under attack. Developing countries remain trapped by debt, constrained fiscal space and inadequate investment. And the world continues to spend record sums on war while development is starved for resources.
The promises Governments made in adopting the Goals are not being kept. It is time to keep them. Let me point to four areas.
First, we need to keep our promise to fight inequality. By investing in what works: Quality education. Food security. Decent work. Universal health coverage. Strong social protection systems. Access to technology and opportunity for all.
We must tackle the barriers that continue to deny people a fair chance: Entrenched inequalities. Discrimination and exclusion. And conflicts that destroy development gains. And we must stand firm for human rights and gender equality. When women can fully participate, everyone benefits.
Second, we need to keep our promise to our planet. Renewable energy is now the cheapest and fastest-growing source of new power across much of the world. Countries rich in renewable resources must be given the tools and the chance to become producers of clean energy, manufacturers of clean technologies and creators of decent jobs.
Critical minerals must be managed responsibly and sustainably, in a way that adds value and opportunity in producing countries. And the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy must be just — supporting communities and workers.
Third, we must keep our promise to finance sustainable development. Countries have pledged to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and channel resources to the areas of greatest need. But much more is needed.
The Sevilla Commitment is an important step. Multilateral development banks must become bigger, better and bolder. Every public dollar must mobilize far greater private investment. Developing countries must have a much stronger voice and representation in the international financial system that needs reform. And debt must serve development, not suffocate it, and we need debt relief urgently.
Fourth and finally, we must keep our promise to accelerate progress with tools at our disposal. Better data. Strategic foresight. Technology and connectivity. Responsible artificial intelligence. More free and inclusive trade. Stronger partnerships across Governments, business, finance, local authorities, civil society and young people.
And above all — renewed efforts to forge peace, which is both the foundation and an enabler of lasting, sustainable and resilient development.
The Sustainable Development Goals are ambitious because the challenges we face are immense. But commitments must be matched with transformative action. That is the promise Governments made. Keeping that promise is an obligation. It’s also our greatest opportunity to build a fairer, safer and more sustainable world.