Honourable Chair,
Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
As we come to the closing of the 79th session of the Commission, I would like to express my deep appreciation to all participants attending and in particular to delegates who have travelled to Bangkok in person.
Please allow me to share a few final thoughts:
Guided by your genuine will to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the range of resolutions adopted at this session provide the foundation for action necessary for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific.
The resolution “Accelerating climate action in Asia and the Pacific for sustainable development” calls for (1) urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; as well as (2) strengthened regional and subregional cooperation to accelerate climate action through the use of clean and renewable energy sources, low emission mobility, as well as greater use of climate change-related statistics and early warning systems.
We must accelerate the transition to low-emission, climate-resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies. Sustainable development will otherwise continue to elude us.
It is likewise increasingly clear that the attainment of sustainable development, especially in the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states, requires urgent action.
The resolution “Accelerating the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for a better future for all in Asia and the Pacific,” therefore, reaffirms that the 2030 Agenda is the blueprint for regional transformation.
It (1) recognizes the role of regional cooperation to promote inclusive, resilient and sustainable development; (2) notes the importance of scaled-up investments to attain our Goals; (3) pledges to leave no-one behind; and (4) reaffirms the importance of a healthy environment.
In line with this resolution, the outcomes from the Tenth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development will be submitted as our voices at global dialogues, including the High-level Political Forum as well as the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, which will review the state of implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
ESCAP, together with the United Nations development system and partners, stands ready to support the delivery of these important outcomes. I would therefore like to thank all member States and partners who have pledged additional resources to strengthen our support during these very challenging times.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Commission Bureau for its leadership and skilfully conducting the proceedings to their successful conclusion.
I wish to recognize the Chair, Her Excellency Madam Fekitamoeloa Katoa ʻUtoikamanu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism of Tonga, and the seven Vice-Chairs:
- H.E. Mr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister, President of the National Committee for ESCAP and First Vice President of the Cambodia Mine Action and Victim Assistance;
- H.E. Mr. Askar Zhambakin, Vice-Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industries of Kazakhstan;
- H.E. Ms. Hyoeun Jenny Kim, Ambassador and Deputy Minister of Climate Change of the Republic of Korea;
- H.E. Mr. Ankhbayar Nyamdorj, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia;
- H.E. Mr. Rachmat Budiman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ESCAP;
- H.E. Ms. Millicent Cruz-Paredes, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ESCAP; and
- H.E. Mrs. Colonne Appuhamillage Chaminda Inoka Colonne, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to ESCAP.
I would finally like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all Heads of State and Government who set the vision for our way forward, as well as keynote and high-level speakers who provided inspiration for bolder climate action.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
I would finally like to express our deepest gratitude to our gracious host, the Royal Thai Government, for their usual warm hospitality and active engagement.
And before I close, I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this session a truly special occasion and very successful.
Thank you.
