Syria participates in the work of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

New York, (ST) – With the participation of Syria, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development was held yesterday at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

A large number of heads of state and government and delegations of United Nations member states who are in New York to participate in the work of the 78th session of the General Assembly attended the forum.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres stressed during the opening ceremony that climate change has destroyed entire societies, and that the 2030 Agenda fulfills the aspirations of the countries of the world. He stressed the need to respect the commitments therein and the obligations contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He considered that achieving only 15 percent of development goals needs to be saved at the global level, and that international financial bodies have become outdated and unfair, and there is an urgent need for reform.

Guterres pointed out that six measures should be taken to achieve the 2030 Agenda, which are confronting hunger, enhancing the role of renewable energy, bridging the digital divide, improving the level of education, ensuring decent work and life and stopping the war against nature.

For his part, President of the General Assembly, Denis Francis stressed that the forum provides a unique platform to recommit to the 2030 Agenda. He stressed that world leaders cannot retreat from their resolve and determination to do their best to achieve the sustainable development goals despite the setbacks they have faced.

Francis said: By making a tangible difference in the lives of many, we can prove that the United Nations not only listens to the demands of those living in difficult situations, but more importantly, that these needs will not go unmet.

On the sidelines of the forum, Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh, Head of the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic, met with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Dennis Moncada at the United Nations headquarters.

The two sides discussed means of developing bilateral relations that bring together the two friendly countries and the importance of strengthening them in various fields, in addition to issues of common interest, cooperation and coordination on topics on the United Nations agenda.

The two sides stressed the need to expose the negative effects of unilateral coercive measures imposed by Western countries, especially the United States of America, on some member states, including Syria and Nicaragua.

Raghda Sawas