[Video Message]
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured to address the SDGs National Forum 2024 in Okinawa, one of Japan's largest forums dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At the outset, I commend the Government of Japan and all the stakeholders for advancing SDG initiatives in collaboration with the United Nations Centre for Regional Development.
Your deep commitment and concrete actions have significantly raised SDG awareness, with the goals increasingly embraced as a universal guiding framework.
However, significant challenges persist.
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024 shows that only 17 percent of assessable targets are on track for 2030.
In this context, the Inter-Agency Policy Brief on Accelerating SDG Localization emphasizes the urgency of accelerating SDG implementation, especially at local government levels, with 65 percent of SDG targets directly tied to their mandates.
Recently, the Summit of the Future marked a significant milestone, with the adoption of the Pact for the Future by world leaders.
The Pact provides concrete actions to strengthen international cooperation across key areas, including peace, security, sustainable development, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth, and global governance reform, with the aim of accelerating SDG implementation.
Looking ahead, UN DESA, in partnership with the United Nations Centre for Regional Development, the UN Office for Sustainable Development, and the Mayor¡¯s Office of Toyota City, will organize the 2025 International Mayors Forum in October 2025. This event will offer a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences, build partnerships, and advance local SDG efforts.
I warmly invite all of you to join us in Toyota City next year.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Achieving the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs demands strong, effective collaboration among all relevant actors.
I am confident that your discussions at this forum will contribute to building new partnerships and creating actionable outcomes to bring us closer to achieving the SDGs.
Thank you!