New York, 19 July 2018
Madam President, dear Marie, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Portugal aligns itself with the statement delivered by the EU and would just like to add some additional remarks in its national capacity.
The Agenda for Sustainable Development is a universal action plan with a Universal scope, to be implemented by all Parties, focused on people, the planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships. We see an Agenda that challenges everyone to assume their responsibilities towards the achievement of all SDG’s, leaving no one behind, starting with the most vulnerable.
Last year, we presented our first National Voluntary Report as a baseline tool for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Much more than just a ritualistic, bureaucratic exercise, it was a fundamental exercise of policy analysis and strategic alignment for the pursuit of the goals we have all agreed upon.
In the words of the UN Secretary General, “[it is] the most ambitious anti-poverty, pro-planet agenda ever adopted by the UN”. We share this view, recognizing the inextricable link between poverty eradication, the fight against climate change and the integration of a strong human rights dimension that tackles inequalities and pays attention to gender issues.
Additionally, Portugal considers the implementation of the Paris Agreement, alongside the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, as integral components of the environmental pillar of the 2030 Agenda.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The 2030 Agenda needs to be based on genuine shared responsibilities between all our countries, through North – South, South-South and Triangular Cooperation. Financing sustainable development will be key to implement the Sustainable Development goals and we wish to highlight in this regard the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as a fundamental guidance tool to this end.
Mobilizing additional financial resources and going beyond traditional forms of development finance is challenging. But we need to unleash new forms of finance from all possible sources, and in volumes that far exceed Official Development Assistance, though ODA will continue to play an irreplaceable role in development processes, especially in the least developed countries.
Portugal has been making a significant effort to find innovative solutions through new funding models and seeking increased coherence in our development cooperation. And our ODA has been rising in the last few years, recovering from the financial crisis levels.
My country strongly supports the repositioning of the UN development system. The resolution adopted in May sets forth a comprehensive transformation of UNDS activities, taking advantage of the opportunity provided by the Agenda.
Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a call for hope and as a call for action, the 2030 Agenda inspires us to achieve a better, safer, more prosperous and sustainable future for present generations and those to come. Portugal is firmly committed to its full and comprehensive accomplishment.
Thank you very much.
