As prepared for delivery

Distinguished Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We live in a world divided and scarred by conflict, with fault lines such as growing poverty and inequalities, climate change, and the destruction of our natural world.

Yet, amidst these tremors, the young people I’ve met here in New York have truly stood out to me: their faith in a better tomorrow -- and their determination to build it.

So, what is the United Nations Development Programme’s unique ‘offer’ to put the five areas of the Pact for the Future into action?

- First, on sustainable development and financing, our efforts include supporting 86 countries in implementing Integrated National Financing Frameworks to channel billions of dollars to key areas like gender equality and nature -- and just one stream of engagement to shape a new SDG financing ecosystem.

- Second, over two billion people currently live in countries affected by conflict and instability.

Our global development support continues to provide a proven pathway out of it by enabling millions of people to access essential services such as water, clean energy, and livelihoods.

- Third, UNDP is working to ensure that young people have a meaningful say in the future in key areas like climate pledges through our Climate Promise.

This initiative is now the vehicle through which the UN system is mobilizing support to 125 countries to advance NDCs that can limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

- Fourth, in this ‘age of opportunities’, digital technologies spread quickly but not evenly.

UNDP’s expertise will help advance the Global Digital Compact to realize a brighter digital future for everyone, everywhere by accompanying dozens of countries on their digital transformation journeys.

That includes investing in safe and inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure to expand access to life-changing services like digital finance or healthcare. 

We will also support countries to create a future of equitable, responsible AI that drives inclusive growth and innovation. 

- Finally, we are assisting countries to build responsive, inclusive, and digital governance systems that foster stability -- and develop new measurements that go beyond GDP, grounded in human development, to give a clearer view of true progress.

Mr. Secretary-General, 

Distinguished Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

At its core, the Pact for the Future is about renewing a spirit of global inclusivity -- urgently addressing the pressing needs of those most impacted by climate change, poverty, inequality, and digital divides.

It is about the promise of multilateralism to deliver tangible solutions and a future where no one is left behind.

Indeed, the Declaration on Future Generations is a call to ensure that we do not simply transfer today’s challenges to our children, but instead pass forward the 'torch of choice' -- a value deeply rooted in the UN Charter.

As part of the UN family, UNDP takes immense pride in being a trusted and longstanding partner to so many of you gathered today – and to turn the Pact and today’s possibilities into tomorrow’s realities.