New York, 24 October 2022. The Human Development Index falls for the first time in 32 years. At the UNDP-Generali event in Venice, Ambassador Massari makes an appeal.
On the occasion of United Nations Day (Oct. 24th), Ambassador Massari, Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, makes an appeal from New York to Venice at the UNDP-Generali event presenting the latest UN Human Development Report (hosted for the first time in Italy).
The Report by UNDP -the largest U.N. development agency, active in 170 countries-shows how the Human Development Index, in the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, has declined for the first time in 32 years.
“This is a wake-up call that people around the world are feeling more insecure, more vulnerable and more exposed to challenges. Rising inequality, food insecurity, misinformation and disregard for the rule of law are affecting the livelihoods and well-being of entire populations, especially the most fragile.”
“It is true that we live in a more unstable and multipolar world, where pandemics, climate change, technology gaps and violence fuel global crises. But it is also true that we have the capacity to respond. We have been able to slow the spread of the pandemic, thanks to the development of new vaccines.”
The “uncertainty complex,” resulting from ongoing crises and social transformations, should alarm us, but not stop us. In times of uncertainty, we are called to come together and form innovative partnerships among international organizations, governments and civil society to revive sustainable and inclusive human development.
“In particular, we must address the collapse of trust and cooperation, between and within nations. We need to restore confidence in multilateralism and support the United Nations System in its relentless action to achieve the SDGs.”
The Ambassador then praised the partnership between UNDP and Generali as an example of the Italian private sector’s willingness to align its actions with the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
“Here in New York, Italy continues to do its part to heighten global ambition for a just and sustainable future for all.”
This year, Italy co-facilitated the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) Ministerial Declaration reaffirming the commitment of member states to accelerate the 2030 Agenda’s Decade of Action. Italy also increased its core contribution to UNDP to strengthen its already strong partnership.
“As Vice President of the UN Economic and Social Council, I will spare no effort in advancing Italy’s vision of rule of law, prosperity and sustainability,” Amb. Massari concluded.
“The solutions are in our hands: let’s unleash the full potential of the UN System, government action and multi-actor partnerships. Together, we can turn the tide.”
