President Yoweri Museveni has told the United Nations summit that in order to build effective, inclusive and accountable institutions at all levels; we have to ensure that the voices of developing countries and regions are heard and that they are treated as equal partners in multilateral decision-making.
“At the international level, we need urgent reform of the United Nations ─ particularly the Security Council ─ and other multilateral institutions to reflect the current geo-political realities. We need a renewed global partnership for development in which all the commitments made, including on Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), trade and investment are fulfilled,” he said.
President Museveni was today co-chairing the opening plenary meeting of the summit for the adoption of the post 2015 Development agenda together with the Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
“While the Agenda represents the collective aspirations of all peoples, its success will hinge on its ability to reduce inequalities and improve the lives of the most vulnerable among us, including women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities,” he said.
The President who had earlier held a tri-lateral meeting with PM Rasmussen and the 70th President of the General Assembly Mogens Lykettoft and also attended an address by the Pope said after months of intense negotiations and steadfast commitment, they have before them an Agenda that represents the best opportunity to transform our world. He also paid tribute to exiting 69th UN President Sam Kutesa for his leadership and accomplishments during his tenure.
“We have heard the voices of people spanning the globe; from eager children asking for access to a quality education to young women seeking better maternal health; from rural villagers whose farmlands have been ravaged by droughts to the coastal fishermen on Small Island States who fear their entire existence will soon be swallowed up by rising sea levels,” he said.
The President who moderated the meeting for over two hours told the summit that they continue to witness the influx of refugees and migrants into Europe from Africa and the Middle East, which is partly caused by conflict and lack of economic opportunities.
“These voices may speak many languages and dialects, but in the end their message is the same ─ please help us to live happier, more prosperous lives, while also protecting the planet for our children and grandchildren. After adoption of this Agenda, it is incumbent upon us all to take the development aspirations laid out in this document and turn them into reality on the ground; for our people, our communities and our nations. This agenda will create global prosperity different from the past arrangements of prosperity for some through parasitism and misery and under-development for others,” he said. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said they have reached a defining moment in human history and the people of the world have asked them to shine a light on a future of promise and opportunity.
“Member States have responded with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The new agenda is a promise by leaders to all people everywhere. It is a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world. It is an agenda for people, to end poverty in all its forms. An agenda for the planet, our common home. An agenda for shared prosperity, peace and partnership,” he said.
See full statement here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dEwgTbbPLxzNEIGfyLEKBDxI2kHY2MUxLJDaAxhXt-s/edit
