UN Sustainable Development Forum ends with renewed commitment, calls for urgent action
Held under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Forum takes place from July 8 to 17This year’s theme is Increase Agenda 2030 and poverty reduction in times of multiple crises: effectively providing sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.
The session includes a three day ministerial segment from 15 to 17 July within the framework of the High-level Session of the Council.
Key votes on ministerial statement
The application of a Minister’s statementan important outcome of the Forum, marked by lively debate among member states, culminating in two important votes on amendments.
One propose including a paragraph “strongly encouraging” States to refrain from adopting and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures inconsistent with international law and uncharted hinder the achievement of economic and social development goals, especially in developing countries.
The inclusion – proposed by Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Russia and Syria – was approved by a recorded vote of 105 countries in favour, 11 against and 46 abstentions.
Another amendment proposed by Israel calls for the deletion of the paragraph “recognizing” that sustainable development cannot be achieved without peace and security, and that peace and security will be threatened without sustainable development.
The passage also calls for “further effective measures and actions” to be taken, in accordance with international law, to remove obstacles to the full realization of the right to self-determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, which continue to adversely affect their economic, social and environmental development.
In a recorded vote, the Forum decided to retain the passage, with 122 member states voting to retain it and two voting to delete it (Israel and the United States). Thirty-nine states abstained.
The Minister’s statementAfter amendment, it was passed without a vote.
Paula Narváez Ojeda, President of the Economic and Social Council, speaks at the opening of the 2024 High-Level Political Forum.
Commitment to Renewal
Speaking at the Forum after the adoption, Paula Narváez, President of ECOSOC, stressed that the ministerial statement “once again reinforces” the urgency of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“This high-level political forum stressed that it is not too late to make sustainable development a reality.“
She also acknowledged the efforts of Ambassador José Blanco of the Dominican Republic and Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested of Norway in their leadership roles as facilitators of “complex negotiations conducted in an exceptional, transparent and inclusive manner.”
Complex, comprehensive negotiations
She added that the delegations had negotiated for more than 70 hours, with 20 informal sessions and three informal-informal sessions, “making every effort to bring together the different opposing positions and present an ambitious and balanced document”.
The ECOSOC President concluded by underlining the body’s shared determination to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and promote sustainable development, while making the necessary transformations to achieve them.
“We will continue to renew multilateral efforts to deliver on the promise of the 2030 Agenda and leave no one behind.,” she speaks.
