Your Excellency, Ambassador Munir Akram, President of the Economic and Social Council,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour of addressing you at the close of the 2021 High-level Meeting of the Development Cooperation Forum.
The call of the 2018 DCF has proved visionary. That is, that all development cooperation actors needed to step up their support to building sustainable and resilient societies.
Three years later we confront a dramatically altered reality. Indeed, we can assess in a crisis context where development cooperation is succeeding, and where it is falling short.
The emerging recommendations based on your experiences in facing the crisis, are invaluable. Your insights promote better understanding of what needs to change to avert the next global health and socio-economic crisis, and the worst impacts of climate change.
The inclusiveness of the discussion and diversity of approaches, ensures stronger progress. We are working with greater coherence, effectiveness and coordination to maximize the contribution of development cooperation to the achievement of the SDGs in developing countries, by 2030.
The DCF is here to support all of these efforts. It is your United Nations platform for identifying new challenges and opportunities in development cooperation. And, in strengthening its quantity, quality, impact and effectiveness.
There are several ways this Forum can strengthen development cooperation for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery:
First, the DCF will generate concrete policy guidance for Member States and other actors on development cooperation in the COVID-19 period. You have advanced such guidance over the past two days, building on:
- lessons learned from the crisis,
- the 2020 DCF Survey Study, and
- DCF work of the past two years.
Second, the DCF can give strategic direction and add value to the multilateral dialogue on development cooperation in the Decade of Action. It provides a global space where trends and opportunities in development cooperation are discussed in-depth. This strengthens the follow-up processes on financing for development and the 2030 Agenda. And it supports implementation of the international commitments to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
Third, the DCF will document and disseminate evidence to support innovative policymaking and adoption of best practices. The global discussions directly link to the state of play of development cooperation on the ground. This includes through the next round of the DCF Survey exercise, being rolled out later this year. The exercise will provide a unique opportunity to gauge the alignment of development cooperation with developing country needs and the risk landscape.
Fourth, the DCF facilitates learning, knowledge-sharing and opportunities for collaboration among actors. This includes through its organization of symposiums -- which we hope will resume when safe. It also includes growing opportunities for online learning, capacity development and networking.
Excellencies,
Mr. President,
In the current context of the pandemic’s response and recovery, it is extremely important to build up the UN development cooperation capacity. It is critical to demonstrate international solidarity and active support for countries in special situations.
The United Nations has to have a voice in international development cooperation. It provides the global inclusive platform for all Member States and other stakeholders. That is what the DCF is all about.
I strongly encourage participants to share your own recommendations and feedback and to remain connected in the work ahead.
I wish you all a safe and restful weekend.
I thank you.