UN General Assembly president calls for joint efforts on sustainable development

UN General Assembly President Peter Thomson on Tuesday called for joint efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development while addressing the opening of the annual high-level General Debate at the UN headquarters in New York.

"The result of two years of intense multilateral negotiations, the Agenda's adoption was like a beacon of hope raised to guide all humanity to a better world," Thomason said.

With its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the agenda is hugely ambitious, he added.

Thomason said the world has made progress on climate change, renewable energy recourses, and poverty, but "we are far from where we need to be."

"We must do better to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs)," he said.

Thomason also urged efforts to teach young people about the SDGs, dedicate greater public resources to achieve SDGs, create better regulatory environments, and support greater access for poor and marginalized communities and countries to science, technology and innovation.

"During the 71st Session we must work with each other - across and between traditional groups - to build trust and flexibility so that we can achieve reform that is for the common good," he said.

Meanwhile, Thomason said he would work to support a smooth transition and a strong start for the next UN chief.

He said there are ample opportunities for early interaction between the new secretary-general and member states so as to build a solid working relationship with this Assembly. Endit