PRESS RELEASE : We must go faster and further to turbocharge SDG progress – UK statement at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 July 2023.
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the 8th High-level Political Forum.
Thank you President, distinguished Panellists, Excellencies,
The SDGs are universal. But at the mid-way point to 2030, they are drastically off track. African countries, LDCs and LLDCs are disproportionately impacted.
At the UN’s 5th Least Developed Countries conference in March, the UK Minister for Development and Africa heard that we must go faster and further to turbocharge SDG progress. We agree.
To get the SDGs back on track, we need to do three things:
First, to recommit to achieving the 2030 Agenda at the upcoming Summit at UNGA.
Second, to build a more equitable international financial system – including through financial reform at the G20, World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings and COP28.
Third, we need to work with public and private partners to mobilise sustainable finance across the SGDs in areas like renewable energy, digitisation and women and girls.
UK Export Finance is working with 12 African and Caribbean countries to offer “climate resilient debt clauses”, pausing loan repayments when disaster strikes. We encourage all other creditors to do the same by COP28 or by 2025 at the latest.
Last month, our Developing Country Trading Scheme entered into force for 65 developing countries, mostly LDCs. A milestone moment in the UK’s free trade offer.
The UK is also supporting countries to access insurance against natural disasters, including through the African Risk Capacity. We look forward to working with you to advance the SDGs for all, including through the UK-Africa Investment Summit in 2024.
Thank you.
