The second part of the HLPF (High Level Political Forum) the High Level Ministerial Meeting began on Monday July 17th. UN Secretary General António Guterres delivered a STATEMENT on his understanding of the State of the World. Mixed picture, deficit of trust, the need to find more legal avenues for migrants, financing development, and foresee what is coming. Secretary General concluded “And I think that looking at this Assembly, one can only be enthusiastic about the fact that there is a very strong commitment not only to the implementation of the agenda but a very strong affirmation of support to multilateral governance as the way to lead the 2030 Agenda respecting the leadership of member states but recognising that only working together we can rebuild the trust that is needed and we can make the Agenda 2030 that factor that brings the fair globalisation the world needs in the present times.”
This was followed by Jeffery Sachs with a key note address to the Member States. Access the WEBCAST marker 34.45 to hear for yourself. He started with the good news “the world output this year will be estimated by the World Bank at 127 trillion dollars – that is 17,000.00 dollars for every man, women and child on the planet. If you prefer to read Meeting Coverage at the UN provides you that opportunity.
“Despite the extraordinary wealth in the world, 1 billion people still struggled to survive every day, he said. In the United States, the coal, oil and gas lobby had contributed $100 million in the election cycle. “That is why we pulled out of our Climate Agreement,” he added, emphasizing that the world was witnessing the “corruption of our future”.”
Some of the forces referred to are directly responsible for the loss of life of Women Human Rights Defenders. This fact was recognized in an action during week one. A Press Release names some of the women and provides background. I was excited to see Dorothy Stang, a Sister of Notre Dame De Namur on the list. She was murdered in 2005 SEE for more information
Thanks to the Women Major Group for all they organized and prepared during this HLPF 2017. The graphics are priceless, their statements clear and focused and more importantly on target. 10 Priorities for the Ministerial Declaration of HLPF 2017