Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

– As delivered –

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly

23 April 2021

H.E. Mr. Munir Akram, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council,

Excellencies,

Thank you for the opportunity to join you today and to contribute to this important discussion.

My message to you is straightforward: we can and must do more to support the most vulnerable as we recover from the global pandemic.

Much as the virus itself has disproportionately affected individuals with underlying conditions, the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic have hit Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, and Landlocked Developing Countries particularly hard. While we have all faced the pandemic together, we have not all felt it the same. Not everyone had the availability to work from home or study remotely; not all communities are equipped with internet access; not all sectors were able to adapt as quickly; and not all governments were able to provide the massive fiscal support to keep workers and businesses afloat during lockdowns.

For economies already challenged by history and circumstance, the pandemic was an added blow and a setback to decades of hard-won ¨C and expensive ¨C development gains.

Yet, what has set us back can also propel us forward. If we are smart about our approach to recovery and have the foresight and ambition to? build back better and address these underlying conditions, then we can not only support LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS in recovering losses but in strengthening resilience against future threats.

In exposing fragilities, the pandemic has highlighted precisely what we need to do, and where. We know we have to strengthen healthcare systems and productive capacities in Least Developed Countries; that we must enhance supply chains to Landlocked Developing Countries; and that there is a need to support the economies of Small Island Developing States, where industries, such as tourism, have been severely affected.

Excellencies, dear colleagues, these are just a few of the many lessons we have learned. What we have now is a choice: we can continue with business as usual and focus on our own individual recoveries or we can opt for a multilateral, global recovery that recognizes that our prosperity is connected, that draws guidance and direction from the Sustainable Development Goals, and that allows us to build a more resilient future.

Because make no mistake, there are other crises on the horizon. Some, like climate, we are aware of, but others, like antimicrobial resistance, may yet surprise us. How we withstand and recover from these future threats is entirely dependent upon the choices we make in the months and years to come.

With this in mind, I would highlight two key issues relevant to your discussions today: addressing climate change and strengthening access to financial resources.

On the first point, I commend the United States for convening the Climate Leader¡¯s Summit these past two days and I welcome the announcements of increased ambition on mitigation and adaptation. These are strong steps, and we must carry this ambition forward into COP26 in Glasgow.

Regarding COP26, and recognizing that global vaccination efforts remain unbalanced, I would ask that every effort be made to ensure full inclusivity and participation in the upcoming conference. The voices and needs of vulnerable countries and groups absolutely must be heard.

My second point refers to financing and the need to extend debt relief to countries in need.

This year¡¯s ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum highlighted the challenges in both recovering from the current crisis and reigniting progress on the SDGs, specifically around resources.

Prior to the pandemic, efforts to achieve the SDGs suffered an annual gap of USD 2.5 trillion. This now stands at USD 4.2 trillion.

It is essential that the growing inequalities within and between countries are urgently addressed. Extended social protection, micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, equitable access to the emerging digital economy, and an open and rules-based global trading system all play a crucial role in the promotion of inclusive economic growth.? Moreover, sustainable solutions for the current debt crisis must be found in order to avoid a domino effect of sovereign bankruptcies.

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Dear colleagues,

As you are aware, the challenges faced by LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS have been a priority since the earliest days of my presidency. It is for this reason that I established a Board of Advisors to ensure that the needs of these countries are emphasized at each and every step of the way throughout the 75th session.

What I have heard from my advisors, from Member States, and from the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ System is that we must provide LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS with the spotlight they need in order to maximize potential. Key elements, such as access to finance, greater and better use of data, and scaled up investments are critical in this regard.

Dear colleagues, rarely have we been presented with such moments for true transformational change. Let us not look back during the next crisis and ask why something was not done, why lessons were ignored. Let us embrace the change that is before us and extend full support to countries in need. Let us use this dramatic and tragic global setback to kickstart the decade of action, to pivot towards a world that is more resilient, more just, more sustainable and more equitable.

I thank you and I wish you all the best during your endeavors today.