President of the Economic and Social Council,
Distinguished Vice Presidents of ECOSOC,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates and Participants,
It is an honour to join you today at this special meeting on behalf of the Secretary-General.
We convene at a critical moment as the world intensifies efforts to strengthen international cooperation, in addressing disruptions in energy and supply flows and their implications for global development.
These disruptions are straining an already fragile global economy ¡ª driving market volatility, weakening growth, rising inflation, and tightening financial conditions.
For many developing countries, particularly those in special situations, the consequences are much more severe.
High dependence on imported fuel, food and fertilizers, combined with rising borrowing costs and mounting debt burdens, is constraining fiscal space and limiting policy options.
These pressures are further compounded by exchange rate depreciation, capital outflows, and dwindling trade and remittance flows.
Safeguarding energy and supply flows is therefore not just an economic imperative; it is a fundamental requirement for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy, as set out in Sustainable Development Goal 7, underpins progress across the 2030 Agenda.
Delivering on SDG 7 and addressing today¡¯s intersecting crises requires coordinated, forward-looking action on four fronts.
First, energy and commodity markets must remain open, transparent and predictable, avoiding measures that could further disrupt supply.
Second, financing must be scaled up. Many developing countries urgently need greater access to affordable and concessional finance to manage immediate economic pressures while sustaining essential investments.
Third, investing in resilient and sustainable energy systems is essential, including renewable energy, robust power grids, and decentralized solutions. This will require enhanced international cooperation and significantly increased investment.
Fourth, the international community must accelerate progress towards SDG 7 and fully harness its transformative potential.
The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July offers a critical opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy as a foundation for resilience, inclusive growth and sustainable development.
At the same time, short-term response measures must be carefully balanced with long-term sustainability objectives.
With many governments already operating under severe fiscal constraints, policy responses must prioritize those who are most vulnerable.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
The Â鶹APP system is committed to supporting Member States.
We are leveraging our analytical capacity, operational presence and convening power to advance coordinated, system-wide responses, including through the Global Action Plan for the Â鶹APP Decade of Sustainable Energy for All. Strengthening international cooperation, including with international financial institutions, multilateral development banks and other stakeholders, is essential to deliver solutions at the scale and speed required.
Excellencies,
The challenges before us are significant, but with collective action, they are not insurmountable.
With coordinated action, sustained investment and a renewed commitment to multilateralism, we can build more resilient energy systems, secure supply chains and further promote inclusive and sustainable development pathways.
The Â鶹APP stands ready to support Member States in advancing this shared objective.
Thank you.