“Supporting sustainable development is one of the smartest investments we can make in our collective futures,” said Ambassador Joan Plaisted, U.S. Area Advisor at the United Nations Second Committee General Debate on Sustainable Development.
The United States remains committed to expediting progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. “These 17 goals,” said Ambassador Plaisted, “epitomize a universal summons to end poverty, safeguard the planet, uphold the dignity of all individuals, and leave no one behind.”
On September 18th, the United States released its new Strategy on Global Development, said Ambassador Plaisted.
“With this strategy, we are redoubling our efforts to protect hard-won development gains and help our developing country partners meet urgent needs, by leveraging our full suite of tools, resources, and expertise. The world is still grappling with multiple crises – the enduring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity and humanitarian emergencies across the world, and concurrent escalating conflicts. We must do everything we can to reclaim lost development gains and accelerate collective progress towards achieving the [Sustainable Development Goals] by building stronger, more resilient, systems.”
The U.S. Strategy on Global Development outlines five strategic priorities to accelerate global development in line with the 2030 Agenda, explained Ambassador Plaisted.
“First, reducing poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth and quality infrastructure development; second, investing in health, food security, and human capital; three, decarbonizing the economy and increasing climate resilience; four, promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance and addressing fragility and conflict; and five, responding to humanitarian needs.”
The United States remains the largest single country donor of humanitarian assistance. In the first three years of the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. provided more than $150 billion in foreign assistance and mobilized billions more in private sector investment.
The United States remains unwavering in its vision of the future in which children do not go hungry, everyone has access to healthcare and education, workers are empowered, the environment is protected, entrepreneurs can access opportunity, conflicts are prevented, and democracies deliver a better society for all.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals means building stronger systems in pursuit of a world that is more free, fair, prosperous, and secure. The United States celebrates the hard-earned development gains made together and remains resolute in working toward a more sustainable future for all.
