Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to send this video message on the day we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This declaration marked a milestone in human history. It laid out a framework of fundamental human rights that guides the work of the United Nations to this day. Human Rights remains at the core of the work of the United Nations alongside Peace & Security and Sustainable Development.
At the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, we understand that sustainable development depends on a truly people-centred approach. This is reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is founded on the principles of equality and non-discrimination, and promises to leave no one behind.
But right now, the world is facing multiple and intersecting crises which are derailing achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Securing the rights and well-being of all peoples must guide our every step.
So DESA will deepen its commitment to a people-centred approach, guided by the Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights. As we continue our work to support and advise Member States in the implementation of the SDGs, DESA pledges to assess and strengthen the capacities of all its staff to align its work with this approach. We will ensure that senior management and programme managers are adequately trained to strategically guide our mainstreaming efforts, and we will ensure a more systematic and coordinated approach to human-rights that complements our existing efforts to leave no one behind.
In this way, as we support the follow-up to the SDG Summit outcomes, and work towards the Summit of the Future in 2024, the Financing for Development Conference in 2025 and other major milestones, we can more effectively support multilateral dialogue and decision-making on sustainable development that is inclusive and equitable.
Thank you.