Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good afternoon.  Eight years ago, the 193 nations of this body made a commitment – extraordinary in its breadth and ambition – to improve lives and livelihoods around the world.

Today, the Sustainable Development Goals remain one of the most powerful vehicles to forge a better future: one without extreme poverty or hunger, where individuals have better health and education, and can thrive in peaceful societies, on a livable planet.

The United States remains unwavering in our commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

We have invested more than $100 billion in development around the world over the last two years –more than any other country.  That includes over $43 billion to help end poverty.  Nearly $35 billion to advance global health.  More than $20 billion to drive inclusive economic growth.  More than $15 billion to reduce hunger and build sustainable, resilient food systems.

And through our investments, we’ve helped mobilize billions more in private sector investments.

But in recent years, headwinds – climate, COVID-19, conflict – have stalled or reversed hard-won gains.  Halfway to 2030 – and we all know this – we are only on pace to achieve 15 percent of our SDG targets.  That is unacceptable.

To get back on track, we need to redouble our collective efforts: to address debt, mobilize more financing, unblock inclusive growth; and to support the foundations of thriving societies: health, food security, education, gender equality, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The United States will continue to do its part, in close partnership with countries from around the world.

As President Biden said at the General Assembly just earlier today, we are working to fundamentally reshape multilateral development banks to better address today’s challenges.  We’re rallying countries to mobilize funding to expand World Bank lending for low- and middle-income countries.  And we’re pushing all major economies to step up efforts to help countries tackle debt.

We’re scaling our investments in infrastructure as a key driver of growth.  The United States, with our partners, has committed to mobilize $600 billion by 2027 through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to build high-quality, transparent infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries.

We’re also investing in global health – from childhood immunizations to maternal health to ending the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria – and food security, including through our Feed the Future program.

Honoring our collective promise on the SDGs will help restore faith in this body’s ability to deliver for people around the world.  We can, we must, we will make good on our pledge that “no one will be left behind.”

Thank you very much.  (Applause.)