{"id":25004,"date":"2017-04-05T16:11:16","date_gmt":"2017-04-05T16:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/?p=25004"},"modified":"2018-04-22T11:53:52","modified_gmt":"2018-04-22T15:53:52","slug":"bridging-global-infrastructure-gap-tops-agenda-at-annual-un-partnership-forum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/blog\/2017\/04\/bridging-global-infrastructure-gap-tops-agenda-at-annual-un-partnership-forum\/","title":{"rendered":"Bridging global infrastructure gap tops agenda at annual Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Partnership Forum"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>Addressing the Partnership Forum convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), senior Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ officials today discussed how to promote infrastructure growth in the least developed countries, particularly in Africa, to reach the world’s development goals by 2030.<\/p>\n

The theme of today’s Forum is Partnerships for promoting opportunities, increased prosperity and sustainable development for all<\/a>. Since 2008, ECOSOC’s Partnership Forum has brought together stakeholders, particularly from business and foundations, to discuss with governments ways in which to engage in support of the internationally agreed development goals.<\/p>\n

In his welcoming remarks, ECOSOC President Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, noted that infrastructure plays a vital role<\/a> in economic and social development of cities, regions and nations. He also highlighted the importance of public-private initiatives in developing resilient infrastructure.<\/p>\n

In the context of achieving sustainable development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs<\/a>), he said there is a valid case to be made for infrastructure development and industrialization, as well as bolstering broad, multi-stakeholder partnerships in that regard.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is only through working together that we will be able to fully face and deal with the complexities of today’s development challenges which more often than not transcend borders in both their impacts and their solutions,\u201d Mr. Shava said.<\/p>\n

The geographic focus of today’s discussions is on infrastructure development in the countries facing the largest infrastructure gaps, such as those in Africa, the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDs).<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only does infrastructure improve access to agriculture, clean energy, education, water and sanitation, it also increases mobility, connects markets and helps create jobs,\u201d Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said.<\/p>\n

In a video message<\/a>, the Deputy-Secretary-General called for the promotion of \u201ceffective\u201d partnerships that emphasize \u201cinnovation, impact, transparency, coherence, accountability and sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said that the international community has a \u201conce-in-a-generation opportunity\u201d for peace, prosperity and dignity on a healthy planet \u2013 the aims of the 2030 Agenda<\/a> \u2013 and \u201ccannot afford to fail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also speaking today, the President of the General Assembly, Peter Thomson, urged the international community to \u201clet go of old grievances and scepticism<\/a> and called for \u201cnew and inclusive ways of thinking, partnering, financing, and delivering on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the coming months, high-level events on SDG action will be held, including a financing lab on 18 April, an event on innovation and connectivity on 17 May, and on education on 28 June. The Ocean Conference<\/a> will be held from 5-9 June.<\/p>\n