The Deputy Secretary-General's Message on the occasion of the Joint SDG Fund’s "Sustainable Development Goals at a Turning Point” UNGA Event

Excellencies, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we stand at a critical turning point in our journey towards a sustainable future. 

The Sustainable Development Goals, our blueprint for peace, prosperity, and a healthy planet, are off track. Four-fifths of our goals are at risk of falling short.  Hunger levels have increased. Gender equality is estimated to be some 300 years away. And at current rates, only 30 percent of countries will eradicate poverty by 2030. This is a sobering report card. And we need to double down on our efforts to meet the goals.

But we have solutions. 

The Joint SDG Fund – a catalyst of cutting-edge solutions that accelerate sustainable development. The Fund crowds in resources for SDG action.  But is more than a financing mechanism. It embodies a new way of thinking, recognizing the interconnectedness of our goals and uniting diverse stakeholders in a coordinated effort. 

Since 2018, with $380 million in commitments, the Fund has supported 230 joint programmes, working across 122 UN Country Teams, stimulated over 1,000 partnerships, and unlocked $4.96 billion in additional resources for the SDGs.

Now it's time to scale solutions and build on what works to transform entire sectors and economies. 

In Indonesia, the Fund's investment led to SDG bonds mobilizing over $3 billion for education, climate action, health, and marine management. 

In Kenya, the Fund developed the world's first Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Development Impact Bond with key public and private sector partners. With the Fund's investment of over $7 million, this initiative is mobilizing over $16 million to provide access to essential reproductive health services for pregnant adolescents in underserved communities.

In Uruguay, Fund investments blended with private bank financing is fostering large-scale clean energy projects, contributing to decarbonization and job creation.

Numerous new initiatives are emerging in key areas such as food systems, energy, and digitalization. What we need now is to scale our efforts - grow our partnerships and expand investments. 

The Joint SDG Fund is a proven vehicle with solid results. 

I urge all partners and investors to leverage its reach to accelerate the SDGs. 

The goals are achievable. The turning point is now to act with ambition and deliver the promise of the SDGs. 

Thank you.

Note:

All joint programs of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.