Discorso pronunciato dall’Ambasciatore Inigo Lambertini, Vice Rappresentante Permanente dell’Italia presso le Nazioni Unite, al Dibattito genenerale della 2a Commissione dell’Assemblea Generale —
Mr. Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Like the others, I want to convey our deepest condolences to the people of the United States for the Las Vegas’ event.
Mr. Chair,
Italy aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and has the honor to add these remarks in its national capacity.
At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Ambassador Jurgenson, on your election, and assure you of our full cooperation in the weeks ahead. I also wish to thank your predecessors, the Permanent Representative of Indonesia, Ambassador Djani, and the other members of the Bureau of the previous session for their commitment and efforts.
Two years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Paris Agreement, we need to bolster our work to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The challenges ahead may have become even more urgent, but the Agenda still offers much more opportunities to reach our ambitious targets.
Mr. Chair,
With 2017 being, to date, the second hottest year on record with an unprecedented season of natural disasters, climate change remains urgent and undeniable. We reiterate our commitment to the Paris Agreement and will continue to work toward the transition to a green economy and to a world where sustainable energy is accessible to all.
A depleted planet cannot sustain consistent efforts for the eradication of poverty nor the challenges of sustainable development that remain at the core of the Agenda and, thus, of the work of the Second Committee. In June’s Conference, we pledged to save our Oceans, with 1,400 voluntary commitments: we commend this achievement and reaffirm our commitment, particularly in addressing marine litter and protecting the marine ecosystem through the 10×20 initiative.
Tackling poverty, climate change, sustainable urbanization and creating decent jobs also means tackling the root causes of migration: Italy, at the forefront of the growing global phenomenon of large movements of refugees and migrants, has relentlessly and proudly done its part and looks forward to contributing to next year’s Global Compacts for Refugees and Migrants. If everyone plays their part; if governments, civil society, and the private sector work together, we will be able to overcome this structural hurdle, with a strategy that combines solidarity and security.
Addressing Food Security remains at the core of our development policies, together with the Rome based agencies, Italy is committed to promoting a world free from hunger and where sustainable production meets sustainable consumption.
Mr Chair,
The challenges are great, but we have the means to face them. We welcome and express full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General in pursuing ambitious reform of the United Nations and recently committed to signing a MoU financing the agenda.
Italy also believes that the Agenda should guide the work of the Second Committee: only if our work is aligned with the priorities identified by the SDGs will we achieve our full potential; by improving our working methods and functioning more efficiently, we can maintain a relevant role.
As we look to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to lead our efforts and inspire our shared values, rest assured once again, Mr. Chair, you can count on Italy’s support and cooperation in this collective endeavor.
Thank you.
