SDG Moment opening session
Historical archive
Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: The Office of the Prime Minister
Speech/statement | Date: 20/09/2021
By Former Prime Minister Erna Solberg (United Nations General Assembly, New York)
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. We are contending with three crises at once: a health crisis, an economic crisis, and a climate crisis.
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Transformative change is needed both at home and abroad.
We know the path we need to take – and we have a plan: The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals are the roadmap to the world we want.
We must mobilise the political will to implement it.
We must do more, in partnership. As governments, private sector, academia, and civil society. And we must work together at the multilateral level.
We need equitable and fair distribution of vaccines. We need good health systems, social protection, and quality education.
We must fulfil our obligations under the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. We must secure finance for development.
We need more coordinated actions on debt relief.
We need sustainable investments and jobs.
We must raise our ambition level ahead of COP 26. Together, we will work to limit temperature increase to 1.5 degrees, in line with the goal of the Paris Agreement.
The UN Food System Summit will take place in a few days. We need to see clear political commitments to improve food systems and to end hunger.
We all know development is not just about the money: We must govern better. To address the pandemic, respond to the crisis and ensure recovery.
We need to combat corruption and tax evasion.
We can and must strengthen accountability, transparency, integrity and inclusion for sustainable development.
We must secure the future welfare of a rapidly growing population. This will require job creation and economic growth.
Human rights, equality, and non-discrimination must be at the core of our efforts.
Norway is hosting a digital Global Disability Summit in February.
The aim is to secure concrete political commitments. Commitments to accelerate lasting inclusive development.
Norway presented its second voluntary national review at the High-level Political Forum this year.
Norway scores high. But we also have challenges to overcome.
This will require political will. At home and abroad.
All of us share a common future and common challenges.
That is why I welcome the vision presented by Secretary-General Guterres in ´Our Common Agenda´.
We must work together to respond to the crises effectively.
We must act together to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. And we must act now.