UN Secretary-General says that the UN must get its ‘priorities right’ in 2016, calling for ‘more and better work’

The UN Secretary-General has shared his thoughts on the direction of the United Nations’ work in 2016, saying that the global community needs to get its “priorities right,” while underlining that more and better work needs to be done.

As he told delegates at his annual informal briefing to the General Assembly, it a moment heavy with responsibility, 2016 is “Year one of the new 15-year agenda, and year 10 of my 10-year mandate. One year may seem very short in UN time. But I believe we can make it dynamic and productive.”

He began by declaring that 2016 must be a year in which landmark decisions on sustainable development “gain solid footing on the ground.”

“If 2015 was a year of global sustainable development action, 2016 must be a year of national SDG traction,” he stated, having congratulated Member States for adopting the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He underlining that gender equality is at its heart, saying that progress has been “too slow and uneven.” He said that he seen too many parliaments, ministries, cabinets, board rooms and peace processes with few or no women at the table. He noted that sadly it has sometimes been the case within the UN and while he had I worked determinedly to change this – with some inroads but there was still much distance still to travel.

Recalling that climate action is good for people and the planet, beneficial for the economy, and essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr. Ban called the Paris Agreement a turning point.

“I encourage leaders to continue providing direct political oversight and guidance on climate,” he said. “We have no time to lose and much to gain by acting now. I will spare no effort to ensure the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement,” he underscored.

In his remarks, the President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, echoed the strong linkage between the SDGs and climate change, reminding delegates that a high-level signing ceremony of the agreement is scheduled in New York on 22 April.

Mr. Ban also listed other events taking place in the upcoming year, such as the Special Session of the General Assembly on the World Drug Problem, and the General Assembly High-level Meeting on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants, and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum in February. He noted on the issue of youth, that 2016 will set in motion the first-ever UN system-wide Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth

The Secretary-General also discussed matters related to peace and security matters, highlighting the “shocking scenes” and stories that have emerged from Madaya, Syria, as humanitarian workers finally gained access after being blocked since October. He also referred to those fleeing conflict and disaster, recalling that arrivals in Europe were less than two per cent of the world’s 60 million refugees and displaced. Nuclear disarmament will also be a top priority in 2016. 

In conclusion he said “Our place must be with the boy fleeing conflict, the girl denied a seat in the classroom, and the children still at risk of dying of preventable causes before their fifth birthday. We must stand with women and men facing daily discrimination, and with millions still living in extreme poverty.” 

For full press release see: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53002#.Vp9A1cdql_d