Second, we must build resilience against the pandemic. In this regard, the European Digital Strategy is an important initiative to drive greater digitalization, reduce the cost of access and to ensure no one is left behind. If not addressed, these inequalities risk compounding existing inequality, pushing countries in the region further behind and deepening the digital divide. For instance, in the Balkans, nearly half of all households lack computer access at home, whilst about one third lack fixed broadband internet connections. But here, too, there are large gaps within and between countries. We have seen great advances across the region in harnessing the potential of digital tools in education, work and health. We must also advance digital connectivity. We must build on the momentum created by the UN Food Systems Summit to support National Food Systems Transformation Pathways.

All nations should cease unjustified trade restrictions and export bans, provide safety nets to the poorest and most vulnerable people, and ensure that farmers, especially smallholders, have access to fertilizers.

This is even more urgent in light of the global impact of the conflict on food security. And the next climate conference - COP27 in Egypt - is the moment for countries across this region to deliver on their commitments.īuilding a just transition includes more sustainable and resilient food systems. Building on the progress achieved in Glasgow, major economies must do much more to lead the way. The current energy shock resulting from the conflict must be an accelerator of the energy transition in Europe and elsewhere - pushing us to ramp up renewable energy production. Instead of the required 45 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, emissions are projected to increase by almost 14 per cent this decade. We need to keep our focus, to ensure we keep the pace and raise our ambition. The energy transition was well under way in the region before the conflict. If anything, the ongoing crisis demands even more focus on super-charging just and sustainable energy, food and digital transitions to advance the SDGs. I want to highlight four priorities to help inform our discussions this week.įirst, we must protect our sustainable development agenda as the region seeks a pathway for peace. In these challenging times, the Secretary-General’s report on Our Common Agenda provides focus and opportunities to chart an ambitious path forward. Implementing the SDGs will require policy choices aligned with the 2030 Agenda, a priority focus on keeping 1.5☌ alive, and a clear emphasis on leaving no one behind. At this moment, the world will be looking at the discussions at this Forum, hoping for solutions.Īchieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was never going to be easy. But we cannot give up on our vision of a better future for all. We now face the real risk of growing hunger on an unprecedented scale. The prices of food, energy, transport and other essential supplies have skyrocketed. Across the world, supply chains have been disrupted. It is affecting this region at its heart, but the ramifications are global. This is the worst refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Over 4 million refugees from Ukraine have fled to neighbouring countries and more than 6 million are internally displaced, with figures rising every day. The war in Ukraine is causing human suffering on a massive scale. The Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for Europe and Central Asia meets at a crucial time, when our ability to achieve the Goals we set ourselves in the 2030 Agenda hangs in the balance. Edil Baysalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, my colleague Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of UN Economic Commission for Europe, Excellencies, Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regional Forum for Sustainable Development 2022, in Geneva today:

United nations 2030 agenda