(Key insights from SDG Action Segments, Panel on SDG 17, Plenary session, Closing) Economic and Social Council: Partnership Forum, 2026 session

Excellencies, colleagues, I call to order the second meeting of the Economic and Social Council Partnership Forum. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the afternoon meeting of the Economic and Social Council Partnership Forum. We will begin the afternoon by hearing the outcomes from the four SDG action segments held earlier today on SDG 6, 7, 9 and 11. The action segments were organized through the collaborations of multiple relevant UN entities stakeholder groups reflecting a broad multistakeholder approach to advancing sustainable, inclusive and evidence based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda. Our distinguished reporters will each provide a brief summary of their respective segments, highlighting key outcomes, innovative practices and recommendations for advancing partnerships in support of the 2030 Agenda.

Each reputer will have four minutes to present their key insights and I ask them to keep to the allocated time for the SDG6. We first turn to Miss Julie Slow.

Of Arcadis and Iowa Young Water Professionals Anjuli, you have the floor now.

Thank you. Our discussion on SDG 6 action and capacity building centered around partnerships partnerships with women and girls and organizations that support them partnerships with development assistance and climate vulnerability organizations, partnerships with youth and young water professional organizations and partnerships with organizations that work to preserve and promote the integration of culture and heritage into water infrastructure. In the interest of time, I'll focus specifically on the action oriented points that emerged from our panel on Partnerships to Progress. Gender Equity it was noted that presently none of the 11 SDG 6 indicators are gender specific.

This is highly problematic as women and girls are disproportionately impacted by water insecurity, whether it be the inability to safely access sanitation infrastructure, time and opportunity costs associated with collecting water, and so much more. What we need is participatory decision making that includes women at the community level and the disaggregation of statistics beyond the household level to demonstrate the actual gender disparity. This needs to be considered in each capacity and implementation project. With young professional engagement, I touched on the need to integrate young voices, recognizing the fresh perspective and creativity we provide as a complement to the traditional wisdom of experience. Including young water professionals in the conversation can be a tool to circumvent ideological roadblocks, especially at the transboundary organization and river basin organization level.

On the subject of private sector partnerships, it was discussed candidly that the private sector is interested in the productivity of labor and the productivity of assets. As such, cost incentives are a clear way to engage the private sector. The complexity here is that while private sector initiatives and incentives are clearly understood, they are less clearly aligned with the tangible outcomes that equitable and fit for purpose water infrastructure brings. For example, if the monitoring and accountability criteria for a water access and quality expansion project were to be the reduction of hours spent by women and girls collecting water, which would in turn increase regional economic productivity over time the hours can be quantified, but what's much more complicated to quantify and furthermore to attribute back to the principal investor is this economic return. As this economic productivity, difficult as it may be, we must iteratively develop frameworks to demonstrate this value.

The UN system and international partner organizations have worked and continue to work on precisely this, and we need to continue to support that on the nexus of heritage culture and water infrastructure. Our panelists addressed that investment in traditional water supply systems and processes, whether it be nature based solutions or simply older infrastructure, is seriously undervalued at times. The cost of infrastructure rehabilitation may be less, both in terms of dollar value and exposure for vulnerable communities, and when we explore this pathway, we leverage this latent potential for synergy between modern and legacy systems. What brings these partnership actions together is unfortunately untapped value across each of these partnership demographics is an opportunity to promote equity, but also the practical action necessary to operationalize the human right to water beyond a normative ideal. Thank you.

I thank Julie Slobie Zik and for your insights. Now for the SDG 7, I give the floor to Mr. Josh Oxpy, Global Focal Point, SDG 7 Youth Constituency. Mr. Okswee, you have the floor now.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm pleased to report back on the discussions from the SDG 7 segment of this ECOSOC Partnership Forum. The discussions took place at a real moment of inflection for SDG 7. Speakers recognized that while progress has been made with global electricity Access now exceeding 92% and renewable energy accounting for the majority of new power capacity additions, the remaining gaps are increasingly concentrated and shaped by how systems operate in practice, particularly in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. We were reminded that still globally 666 million people still lack access to electricity and over 2.1 billion people continue to rely on polluting fuels for cooking.

Despite rapid technological progress across the segment, the conversation moved decisively from questions of ambition and technology towards delivery. Panelists underlined that SDG 7 today is less constrained by the availability of solutions and more by how policy, finance, institutions and partnerships function on the ground. In particular, the cost of capital, risk perception, predictability of finance and institutional capacity were highlighted as factors that continue to shape outcomes. With reference to the fact that less than one fifth of Global clean energy investment currently reaches developing regions even as clean energy Investments globally exceeded $1.8 trillion last year alone. Partnerships were therefore framed not simply as a coordination mechanism, but but as a delivery vehicle.

Speakers emphasize that partnerships are most effective when they align with policy, finance, data and capacity in situ, and when they are designed to reduce fragmentation rather than add to it. Several interventions pointed to the burden created by misaligning procedures and parallel partnership structures, particularly in contexts where financing needs to support generation, transmission and distribution simultaneously and over prolonged periods of time. Inclusion was also discussed through this delivery lens. Panelists suggested that women, young people and marginalized communities are already active in SDG 7 implementation, particularly through decentralized digital and community level solutions. The discussions highlighted the importance of moving beyond participation alone towards accountability frameworks that reflect who benefits, who leads and who has decision making power, as well as the strengthening of data monitoring so that delivery outcomes, not only access figures, are visible.

The segment also drew attention to the growing role of digital tools, data and AI in systems planning and resilience, particularly as electricity demand rises rapidly from cooling, digitalisation and data centres, and to the importance of ensuring that finance and support reaches local level actors and entrepreneurs rather than remaining constrained in a small number of large projects. Overall, the discussion suggested that the next phase of progress on SDG 7 will be shaped less by the pace of commitments and more by how effective partnerships are designed, governed and and adapted to deliver its scale in context and in practice. These reflections will inform preparations for the 2026 High Level Political Forum, regional SDG 7 consultations and ongoing energy compact follow up processes this year. Coming Mr. President, I'll stop here as this concludes the report back on the STG seventh action segment.

Thank you Mr. Oxby for the insights now on SDG 9.

I give the floor to Ms. Anna Lee of the United nations association of the United States of America and Major Group for children and youth. Ms. Lee, you have the floor now.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. The SDG 9 Action segment, under the theme Shaping the Future of Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, explored how inclusive and sustainable industrialization, responsible, resilient infrastructure and innovation can advance the 2030 Agenda. Progress in SDG 9 is closely linked with other SDGs such as SDG 7 and SDG 8, but progress towards SDG 9 remains uneven across countries, sectors and population groups. Developing countries in particular continue to face structural barriers in providing basic infrastructure, expanding industrial capacity, adopting new technologies and integrating into global value chains. Having heard different perspectives across the public and private sectors, the core message of our session was clear in order to harness the benefits of resilient infrastructure, innovation and sustainable industrialization, we need multi stakeholder partnerships.

From our Segment we bring four key messages. First, advancing SCG9 requires coordinated and whole of system action. Advancing SCG9 requires coordinated action across multiple domains integrating innovation, industrial policy, finance and investments and capacity building, especially for the global South. For example, resilient low carbon and inclusive industrial systems supported by integrated infrastructure that manages trade offs across energy, water, land, food and livelihoods enable progress across sectors and SDGs. Outcomes of the SDG 9 action segment reaffirm that industry innovation and infrastructure are cross cutting enablers particularly for SDG 7 and 8.

Sorry. Second, we must address structural barriers facing developing countries through just transition pathways. Developing countries, including middle income countries, face persistent barriers to inclusive and sustainable industrialization including productivity stagnation, skills mismatches, infrastructure gaps and climate vulnerability. Advancing SCG9 in these contexts requires just transition pathways that support economic diversification, low carbon industrial growth, labor market transformation and climate resilience backed by targeted international cooperation and national and regional strategies. Third, we must embed skills development at the core of industrial and digital transformation.

Digitalization is transforming all aspects of SDG 9 to harness its potential, countries need not only access to advanced technologies but also a labor force equipped with industry relevant skills, especially in developing countries and along MSMEs. Effective strategies integrate skills development in industrial policy taking into account value chains, sustainability standards and market access. As part of this, the workforce needs reskilling in the use of digital tools through co finance, training, incentives and cluster based approaches. Building demand driven skills is essential for productivity, competitiveness and inclusion. Fourth, we should strengthen implementation through accountable multi stakeholder partnerships.

Multi stakeholder partnerships are essential for translating SCG9 from ambition to action. Partnerships are most effective when built on trust, inclusivity, shared goals, risk sharing and measurable outcomes. Multiplying impact. The expertise and resources of private sector have a key role to play in a world of shrinking development aid. Speakers from the private shared examples of cross sectoral collaboration such as initiatives of Novartis foundation linking health, AI technologies and industrial systems.

This includes also partnerships with UN entities, for example IBM, collaboration with UNITO linking AI and digital technologies for industrial transformation. As a next step, discussions from today's SDG9 Action segment will feed into the Global Expert group meeting on SDG9CO organated by UNIDO and DESA in Vienna on February 23rd to 24th. Before I conclude, I would like to thank our speakers as well as core organizing partners unido, undesa, the business industry major group, in particular the International Organization of Employers, the Scientific and Technology community Major Group and the World Federation of Engineering organizations and the NGO major group and the head of IT Skills Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In conclusion, the SCG9 action segment underscored that in order to advance SCG9, a whole of system approach is needed incorporating different domains such as policy, technical assistance, financing and advanced investment, including from the private sector and a strong focus on skill development to leverage the benefits of digitalization and innovation. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you Ms. Lee for her insights. Turning to SDG 11 I now give the floor to Mr. Remy Xia Ciping of UN Habitat. Mr. Xia Ciping, you have the floor now.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Distinguished delegates, the panel that discussed the SDG 11 Action segment came up with seven recommendations that I would like to share with you. The extended report will be shared with the Secretariat. The first point that they recognized was that the urgency of action across all targets within the SDG 11 giving the timeframe that we have. The second point that came up strongly how could we use the housing as the foundation to trigger the changes that we all expect to achieve the SDG 11? Because they recognize that housing is the foundation for resilience, climate action, health, gender equity, economic inclusion and so forth.

So the foundation of housing was strongly put forward. The third point was that working across all tiers of governments from local, regional to central government was very important. Some of the instruments that came up and had to be scaled up included the voluntary local reviews that data driven evidence for SDG that would help us really foster the the fiscal decentralization, technical capacity, decision making across all the actors. The fourth point that came strongly was of course the innovative financing. How innovative financing could be harnessed and really put to use to achieve SDG 11.

The fifth point was as other tracks have identified, we call it participatory partnership, which is very much about cooperation because we realized that multilevel stakeholder engagement partnership was really key to actually achieve that goal collectively. The sixth month was really about people that we can achieve SDG 11 and other SDGs. If you don't use the entry point of care of justice and age age sensitive data, we have to be focusing on inclusion, on justice. The intersectionality across all age groups were essential to help us achieve the goal in 2030. The last point that came strongly was about scaling up.

There were many solutions that were community led, that were presented, that were people centric, that were age sensitive, age friendly cities, for instance, that can be done and could be scaled up and all actors within the sphere who are working across SDG 11 were encouraged to look at those solutions and see how they can scale up to actually achieve all targets. As I said, Mr. President, we share the extended report later on. That's what transpired.

Thank you Mr. Xi Ciping for your insights. Thank you all the organizers for your valuable insight and for your dedicated efforts in organizing this segment.

The outcomes you have shared will be instrumental as we move toward the review of these SDG at the 2026 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Colleagues, this includes this part of the meeting on the reporting of the SDG action segments. I will briefly pause the meeting in order for the podium to be rearranged for the panel discussion. Please remain search it.

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Excellencies. Colleagues, it is now my pleasure to turn our attention to the panel discussion on SDG 17. Three voices, one partnership journey demonstrating the power of shared solutions.

Colleagues, as we know that the SDG 17 partnership is quite important. It is the connecting tissue that links to all other goals. Without stronger partnerships, without collaboration, without solidarity, without harmony and Progress on all SDGs will be faltering on this. This panel brings SDG 17 to life through three exemplary partnership stories. It demonstrate how demand driven collaborations anchored in shared ownership can unlock financing, strengthen systems and expand opportunities for people and communities.

I am honored to be joined by a distinguished panel of speaker who will share practical experiences from very different context, yet connected by a common thread that is partnership that respond to real needs and deliver results on the ground. To ensure time for reflection and discussion, I kindly ask all speakers on the panel to adhere to the 5 minute time limit for their initial intervention.

It is now my pleasure to first invite Mr. Maximo Torero, Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United nations, to share insight on FAO's multi stakeholder partnership for Resilient Agri Food Systems, the Global Framework on Water scarcity in agriculture. Mr. Torero, you have the floor now.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Cher and President, It's a pleasure for us to come and share some of the ideas of partnerships.

I will go a little bit further than water, but I will focus a lot on the water example. So good morning and thank you for the opportunity to speak today. The theme of this meeting, three Voices, One Partnership Journey, captures a central truth of our time. The challenges facing the agri food system today are systemic water scarcity, climate shocks, increase on frequency and intensity, conflict and food price, excessive volatility and financing gaps are deeply interconnected. No single institution, no matter how strong, can address them alone.

What works are partnerships that are purposeful, evidence based and action oriented. I would like to illustrate this with three concrete FAO led partnership models that show how shared solutions translate into real impact. First, as the Chair was mentioning, VOICE WASAC Partner driven action on water scarcity, which will be one of the major risks that we will be facing in the future and one of the major sources of conflict if we are not careful. Let me begin with a global framework on water scarcity in agriculture known as WASAC. Launched by FAO in 2016, WAZAC responds to one of the most binding constraints to food security today water scarcity.

It threatens agricultural productivity, ecosystems, livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable and fragile regions. WASAC is not a program in the traditional sense. It is an inclusive coordination and innovation platform. It brings together governments, UN agencies, international organizations, research institutions, civil society, farming organizations and the private sector to co develop solutions and support countries in managing water scarcity in agriculture. Its work is organized through partner led working groups focusing on drought preparedness, saline, agricultural, sustainable water used water and nutrition, water and migration and financing mechanisms.

These groups operate on voluntary basis and generate concrete outputs, policy briefs, technical guidance, capacity development and tools that countries can actually use. The impact is visible in the ground. For example, in Cape Verde and Ubekistan are applying WASAG farmer guidelines on saline agriculture. In Zimbabwe, it's using the WASAC financing framework to guide agricultural water investments in Malawi through the A Was ME initiative through resilient crops such as sorghum and coppice are being identified through field trials and gene bank profiling. What makes WhatsApp distinctive is that it is genuinely a partner driven initiative.

Partners led working groups produce joint knowledge and support contribution. The model is lean, collaborative and focuses on results. It shows that complex across cutting challenges like water scarcity require coordination across sectors, disciplines and institutions. Second voice of partnerships is the Hand in Hand data driven partnership for transformation of fao. The second voice is this initiative.

Hand in Hand was created to accelerate agri food system transformation where needs are the greatest. Its core premise is simple but powerful. Impact must be targeted and partnerships must be built around evidence using advanced geospatial analysis, poverty mapping and agri food system diagnostics. Hand in Hand identifies high potential territories where investments can deliver the greatest return in terms of poverty reduction, food security, nutrition, jobs and resilience. But data is only the starting point.

Hand in Hand is a country owned and partner enabled platform. Governments define priorities, FAO provides analytics, convenient power and technical support with its own partnerships. Development banks, donors, UN partners and private sector align around A shared investment narrative. This approach is already delivering a strong coordination, better designed investment pipelines and greater focus on fragile context affected and climate vulnerable areas that are often left behind by traditional financing models. Hand in hand demonstrate that when partnerships are anchored in evidence and country ownership, they can mobilize finance at the scale and translate analysis into action.

Finally, the financing Solidarity in times of a shock, the first voice is the financing for Choke Driven Food Crisis Facility or the fsfc. FSFC responds to a stark reality. Today, food crises are increasingly driven by shock, conflict, climate extremes and economic disruptions. These shocks hit fast and hard, but financing often arrives too late or in fragmented ways. FSFC was designed to close this gap.

It is a partnership platform that brings together FAO governments, international financial institutions and donors to rapidly mobilize and channel financing to protect food security, livelihoods and productive capacity when shocks happen. The facility focuses on anticipation, rapid response and recovery. It helps countries to scale uptime interventions such as protecting agricultural livelihoods, stabilizing food production systems and preventing temporary chokes from turning into long term food crisis. The returns are clear. $1 invested, $7 of return.

FSFC shows that financing is itself a form of coordination. When partners align around the speed, clear metrics, flexibility and shared objectives, they can reduce human suffering, protect development gains and strengthen resilience. These three voices, Wasac, Hanning, Han and FFC, operate in different contexts, but they tell a single story. They show that partnerships work when they are inclusive, country driven and results focused. They show that FAO as a technical and normative agency can add value by convening evidence, aligning actors and connecting humanitarian development and policy responses.

And they show that shared solutions are not an aspiration, they are a necessity. In a world of rising uncertainty, partnerships are no longer optional. They are the only credible pathway to scale, impact, manage risk and deliver food security for all. Thank you very much.

Thank you Mr. Torero for highlighting how broad based and multi stakeholder collaboration can strengthen agri food system and address water scarcity through shared expertise and coordinated action.

Now we'll be hearing capacity building partnerships. I invite Ms. Ruma Padua. She is the chief business innovator and president and co founder of Philia Venture Incorporation. And she is joining us virtually to present an example of a capacity building partnership that empowers MSMEs, particularly women, women and youth while advancing inclusive trade and peace building. Ms. Romay, you have the floor.

Good afternoon. I stand before you carrying the voices of farmers, youth, women and indigenous artisans from the Philippines. Voices that also represent the wider MSME of Asia Philia was born in the pandemic as a recovery response enterprise, proving that amidst calamity, something beautiful can emerge. Our story begins in the rural uplands of Mindanao, in the southern part of the Philippines. Here, farmers cultivate coffee, cacao and coconut on steep hillsides and fragile soils.

These crops are more than commodities, they are lifelines. We are the difference between scarcity and dignity, between conflict and peace. I grew up with the reality of conflict in Mindanao. I learned early, when people are hungry, they are angry, and that anger can be weaponized. Hunger fuels unrest.

Poverty fuels recruitment into armed groups. But when livelihoods are secured, when dignity is restored, peace has a chance to take place. Some of our farmers are former rebel returnees. Their hands once carried arms. Today those same hands cultivate farms.

They have chosen seeds over bullets, futures over fear. This transformation is not abstract, it's lived. At the heart of this transformation is fila's invaluable development model. And that is partnerships powered by capacity building. Felix approach is ecosystem building and social integration.

Communities are not beneficiaries. They are co authors of development. Local governments, private institutions, and even global institutions are part of this ecosystem too. When all these actors are integrated, sustainability is not only inclusive, it is inevitable. Let me share a few stories.

In Sultan to the Rat, a young farmer, once uncertain of his future, now leads a cooperative that supplies coffee. Recognized internationally, his pride is not just in the crop. It is in the identity he has claimed as a leader. In Maitam Sarangani, a group of women once sidelined now managed cacao cooperatives and quality initiatives. They speak of themselves not as helpers, but as innovators, proud to see their work recognized in national and international markets.

And finally, in South Cotabato, the Tibali people, renowned for their intricate weaving traditions called tinalak, now see their artistry celebrated in feliz production and packaging. Their heritage is not only preserved, but given new life in commerce, making them custodians of both culture and livelihood. These stories are part of a larger narrative, communities rising together not as recipient of aids, but as architects of resilience. Our journey have been recognized globally. The Agency for Valorization of Agricultural Products Award in Paris honored our coffee, cultivated and roasted at origin.

The Shell Livewire program supported our innovations in community enterprise and the ASEAN Japan Center Business Model Competition has affirmed that our approach has relevance beyond the Philippines and Asia. These are beyond recognitions. These are testaments. Pelia, at the end of the day, is still a private enter enterprise with public purpose. We represent the Philippines and Asia's MSME showing that partnerships powered by capacity building and rooted in sustainable agriculture and ecosystem building can turn recovery into legacy.

And my call to you is this. Let us build these ecosystems together. Let us make partnership not just agreements on paper, but living commitments that empower communities to co author their own futures. If we act with urgency and solidarity, recovery is not only recovery, it will be lived on as legacy. Thank you.

I thank you Roma Padua for sharing an inspiring example of how partnerships can expand economic opportunity, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to social cohesions. Your intervention clearly echo the DUA Political Declaration which highlights the role of the private sector in job creation and decision work, as well as the importance of enabling environment for the contribution of MSMEs and cooperatives. Lastly, I invite His Excellency Muhammad Fathi Idris, Permanent observer of the African Union to the United nations to share how a Diaspora Partnership for Innovative Financing can channel remittances into SDG Responsive Investment. Excellency, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Allow me to start by congratulation for for the ECOSOC commemoration and to express my honor to be with all of you and to be with distinguished panelists in person and virtual in this important event. And let me start by the key words you mentioned, Mr. President, partnerships, real need and results on the ground. I think this is all what we aspire to do and let me recap it also in the recall what late SG Doug Hammershud mentioned that Security Council works for conflict resolution, resolution of conflicts, and the ECOSOC works for addressing and eliminating the root causes of conflicts. And I think this is a very important and noble goal. Let me talk about the remit AIDS Innovative Finance and Diaspora Partnership.

Of course, remittances are often described as private flows, money sent from one family member to another. But in Africa, remittances are much more than that. They are resilience, they are solidarity, and above all, they are trust. Every year, African diasporas send tens of billions of dollars back home in many countries. And of course, needless to say that the African Diaspora is a sixth region.

The geographical five regions in Africa we have the sixth region, which is the diaspora officially recognized as the sixth region in Africa. Yet despite the scale, these flows remain fragmented, costly and largely disconnected from national development strategies. We already know that when diaspora resources are aligned with public policy, they deliver impact. And through this initiative, for instance, and as example among others, in Ethiopia, Diaspora investment instruments have mobilized over $200 million supporting infrastructure, education and SMEs. In Rwanda, Structured Diaspora Engagement financed 1,500 housing units and 300 small businesses creating local jobs and economic value in Senegal.

Diaspora co financing supported health clinics and water access projects complementing government initiatives. These examples and many others show that Diaspora resources can be leveraged as a strategic development tool. But much potential remains untapped. REDMED was born from a simple but powerful question. What if remittances could do more without asking the Diaspora to give more?

REDMED is not charity, it's not aid. It's a Diaspora partnership model transforming remittances into SDG aligned impact driven investment while fully preserving their social purpose. The mechanism rests on three pillars. Targeted remittance tax relief to incentivize formal and productive use of existing flows. Co investment and risk sharing.

Leveraging public and development partner resources to mobilize private capital, often at 2 to 1 leverage ratio. Three, pooling diaspora resources into priority sectors aligned with national development strategies and SDGs with monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track social and economic impact. Through this approach, REDMED reduces investment risk. Builds trust and accountability. Creates shared ownership between governments, Diaspora financial institutions and development partners.

REDMED operates at the intersection of policy, of public policy, Diaspora engagement, private finance and development cooperation. Its effectiveness has been recognized on the Seville Platform of Action for Financing for Development, highlighting its replicability and global relevance. Ultimately, REDMED proves that effective partnerships do not invent new money. They work with existing flows, align incentives and treat Diaspora not as donors but as co creditors of development solutions. This is the essence of SDG 17 partnerships for the goals.

Thank you very much.

I thank your excellency Mohammad Eh Fati Idris for introducing this remit aid very innovative model which illustrate how Diaspora engagement can be transformed into a strategic financing tool to achieve SDGs, especially poverty alleviation, health educations, creating jobs and many more. And now I would like to ask all three panelists and to respond to questions what makes your partnership model very distinctive and what should others take away from this partnership? I kindly ask all speakers to adhere to the two minutes time limit. Again, let me start from Mr. Torero. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Chair and let me be very brief. I think the common thinking in the three partnerships that I describe is the fact that we have a clear objective of what is needed to be achieved. All the partners have a clear role and have an assigned output that it will be achieved together. So the partnership brings more than the parts is adding value to the development and implementation.

If we are very clear in that process, being this public sector, private sector, Social Security society, it's important to have that clarity and transparency so that we can really optimize the results of the partnerships and have the incentives aligned. Thank you.

I thank Dr. And now I ask the same question to Roma Padua. To share your observations.

Is really our deliberate investment to people as equal partners for development where capacity building is not just a side activity, but rather it is the engine of our work. So by equipping communities with skills, leadership and entrepreneurial knowledge, we transform these communities into long term resilience. And the partnership succeed primarily because we integrate agriculture, enterprise and social cohesion into one ecosystem, which is of course aligned in the spirit of SDG 17. And this is why the former rebels choose farms instead of arms and the artisan communities. But the takeaway is clear.

When partnerships treat communities as co creators rather than as recipients or beneficiaries, sustainability is inevitable. And so capacity driven partnership do not just deliver, in fact they build peace, the restore dignity and more importantly, they build lasting impact. And I guess this is why PHILIA is a successful development model. Because we have indeed transformed recovery into resilience, resilience into peace. And more importantly, peace has become a legacy which is so personal for me as someone who has lived with the conflict in, in my lifetime and still now.

And that is the thing that we extend to the world that we, we call for peace. And we do, we, we collaborate more to achieve a lasting peace for everybody.

Thank you for us.

Thank you Roma Padua and for sharing your insight. Now may I invite his Excellency Mohammad Fatih Idris to share your views on this. Thank you very much Mr. President and thank you very much for distinguished speakers who highlighted very valuable issues. First, I think we have to always to refer to the UN conviction and wisdom that no one size fits all. And there has to be customization of the initiatives based on these prevailing circumstances in different situations and different societies that also to be very much anchored to national ownership.

This is very important to have success and to have a whole society engagement in any initiative. Scalability and sustainability are very important. And if you talk about for example this REDMED initiative, for example, it redefines remittances that no longer isolated private transfers, but a lever for collective development without undermining their social purpose. Second, it's built on mutual incentives. Governments benefit from formalization and strategic investment.

Diaspora retain ownership, trust and decision making so development partners can de risk and scale impact. So there is collective shared interest and vested interest. Lastly, it is applicable by design, adaptable to diverse national context, grounded in trust, co investment and policy alignment and supported by monitoring frameworks to ensure tangible results, transparency and accountability. Thank you very much.

Thank you, your Excellency for sharing your reflections with these.

As we conclude, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all three panelists for their thoughtful and practical contribution to the session and these examples shared by our distinguished panelists remind us that effective partnerships are not defined by form but by function, by how well they align, incentive and mobilize diverse capabilities and respond to the needs identified on the ground. The Panel also underscores the importance of creating an enabling environment where innovative financing, inclusive collaborations and demand driven approach can reinforce on another so that partnership move beyond pilots and contributes meaningfully to sustainable development at speed and at scale. I hope this discussion has provided both inspirations and practical insight and that encourages continued efforts to build partnerships that are result oriented and responsive to today's challenges. This concludes the panel on SDG 17 three voices, one partnership journey demonstrating the power of shared solutions. I thank you panelists and all colleagues and the Forum will now begin its Plenary session and hear statements by Member States and other stakeholders in accordance with the provisions of the General assembly resolutions 75 290.

A delegation wishing to speak should request the floor by pressing the microphone button. Time limits for interventions are three minutes for a Member States, observer and United Nations System entities and two minutes for other stakeholders. Group statements will be limited to five minutes in order to accommodate as many speakers as possible. The microphones will be muted once the time limit has elapsed. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Delegation speaking on behalf of a Group or at Minister level should approach the Secretariat in the room in order to get priority in the list. I remind delegation that I have not yet done so to send copies of the statements to estatementsn.org to facilitate interpretations and for uploading in the Journal. With this, I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the group of 77 and China.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the G77 and China. Maybe I will read it a bit shorter to fit in the time the Group welcomes the convening of the Partnership Forum at this critical juncture where the world is simultaneously confronted with multiple crises and global challenges and still not yet on the right track to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 goals, stressing the need for concrete and immediate action to create the necessary enabling environment at all levels for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. We are deeply concerned about the significant impacts of the current challenging global environment on national efforts to implement this agenda including not only economic factors in the areas of trade, investment, tax, finance and technology, but also disasters, natural and man made hazards, climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, sea level rise, melting glaciers, environmental degradation, humanitarian crises and conflicts. Implementing the 2030 Agenda at all levels requires political will as well as the provision and mobilization of adequate means of implementation and a revitalized global partnership which puts sustainable development front and center in accordance with SDG 17 and in correspondence with national plans and priorities, taking into account all national circumstances, realities and capacities, different levels of development, including support to the countries affected by conflict or emerging from crisis. We call for a new phase of international cooperation through a strengthen and scale up global partnership for development, upholding multilateralism with the UN at the center.

The entire UN system as well as the Bretton woods institutions and bilateral donors should align their cooperation programs with the national development strategies with a view to making the optimum contribution to its realization to foster sustainable development in its three dimensions and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It is urgent and a priority for developing countries. The the promotion of technology transfer and capacity building governance system based on evidence based data science, technology and innovation is essential to identify problems and find effective solutions aimed at inclusive and sustainable economic development, including poverty eradication and inequality reduction. It is key to strengthen strategic partnerships between countries of the north and the south so as to contribute to the sharing of knowledge and innovation and transfer technology in preferential and concessional terms.

To conclude, the Group acknowledges that the upcoming review of ECOSOC and the HLPF and the ongoing process of unity, including the review of the Sustainable Development Pillar, if inclusive and responsive, represent opportunities to further deepen international partnership, cooperation and coordination in order to advance sustainable development, addressing the priorities and concerns of developing countries. Reducing inequality among and within countries, leaving no country and no person behind. The G77 and China reiterated its continued unwavering commitment to further translating ambitions set out in the 2030 Agenda into real action and we encourage the ECOSOC as the main coordinating organ of the un, to assess the underlying obstacles and support progress in its implementation, as well as give a coherent, transparent and consultative approach to all partnership initiatives while ensuring equitable representation from the South. I thank you.

I thank Her Excellency the Permanent Representative of Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the G70 children in China.

Now, Now I give the floor to distinguished representative of Paul Lau on behalf of the AOCs.

Mr. President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the alliance of Small Island States with just a few years remaining to deliver on the 2030 Agenda and as Member States prepare to engage in the review of the ECOSOC and the hlpf, the quality, impact and effectiveness of partnerships and the multilateral system that supports them must be strengthened. For small island developing States, partnerships are a prerequisite for implementation. Yet too often partnerships fall short in scale and long term impact. Without genuine and durable partnerships, climate change, debt distress, ocean degradation and economic shocks will continue to undermine our development gains.

In this regard, AOSIS underscores three priorities. First, partnerships must be aligned with SIDS led framework, in particular the Antigua and Barbuda agenda. For sids, the ABBAS provides a clear roadmap for translating global commitments into action across climate change, climate resilience, sustainable energy, ocean based economies and access to finance and technology. Partnerships that do not align with identified SIDS priorities risk deepening fragmentation rather than accelerating progress. Second, partnerships must be grounded in science, data and innovation for climate adaptation and early warning systems to renewable energy transitions in ocean science.

SIDS need partnerships that strengthen local capacities and close data gaps. Initiatives such as the SIDS center of Excellence and the SIDS Steering Committee for partnerships are essential platforms for scaling impact and must be adequately supported. Third, partnerships must be fit for a changing multilateral landscape. At a time when official development assistance is regressing and becoming less predictable. Partnerships cannot be viewed as substitutes for oda but as essential mechanisms to help sustain implementation and mobilize long term support.

Therefore, AOS stresses the importance of strengthening the United nations as a trusted hub for meaningful long term partnership that can support implementation despite a more complex and fragmented multilateral environment. Mr. President, EOCs remain firmly committed to the 2030 Agenda, but commitment alone will not deliver the SDGs. We need partnerships that are meaningful, durable and responsive to our vulnerability and strengthened multilateral system capable of supporting them. EOC stands ready to work with all partners to ensure that the partnership forum, ECOSOC and the HLPF contribute meaningfully to a multilateral system that delivers real results for SIDS and for sustainable development globally. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Palau speaking on behalf of the AOCs. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji speaking on behalf of the Pacific seats. Thank you Mr. President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Pacific Small island developing States Peaceeds whose member States are represented in New York. We align ourselves with a statement delivered by Palau on behalf of AOCs and we also extend our appreciation to you Mr. President for convening this important and timely partnership forum and as we just commemorated the 80th anniversary of Ecosoc partnership is a golden word, one that continues to resonate through the corridors of the UN and beyond.

From SDGS to Abbas, from the Pact of the future to FFD4, its echo has only grown louder. Mr. President, we must be candid. The current modus operandi within the ECOSOC is undergoing financial challenges. PSIGS notes will concern the persistent lack of alignment and integration across UN country offices under the Resident Coordinator System, with each UN agency funded individually by Member states. The integrated development support that PCG expects under the ABBAS and other financial mechanisms risks remaining aspirational rather than operational.

The UN's comparative advantage lies in strategic technical advice and support for national development planning. Yet fragmentation undermines both the agency performance and country ownership. PSIG emphasizes that UN agencies conducting direct program delivery must prioritize national capacity building within entities and institutions of state over reliance on external implementing partners whose accountability structures lie outside national jurisdiction's weakened country systems and undermine the sustainable development we seek. It's time for a reset PCID is of the view that while we fully support UN presence in the Pacific region, the UN institutions must be integrated to reduce bureaucratic overheads, avoid duplication and and improve efficiency. These reforms must be accelerated as we approach 2030 and prepare for the 2030 post development landscape.

The 80th anniversary of ECOSOC should mark a shift towards alignment, coherence and tangible results, results delivered through strengthened national system and felt by the communities who rely on partnership with the un. On this basis, the PCs acknowledge with appreciation the enhanced collaboration and partnership extended by our development partners both within the region and beyond. The enduring commitments remain vital for resilience and our progress. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji speaking on behalf of the PCs.

Now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Angola speaking on behalf of the African Group.

Mr. President Excellencies, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. The African Group welcomes the convening of the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum at a particularly critical moment for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as we approach the four final stretch towards 2030. Given that Africa is the home of the oldest youngest population, effective partnerships are critical to harnessing the demographic dividend, particularly through investments in skill development, innovation, energy access and sustainable cities for Africa. The 2030 Agenda and the African Union Agenda 2063 are complementary and mutually reinforcing frameworks reflecting a shared vision of inclusive growth, structural transformation, resilience and sustainable development. The Sustainable Development goals under review in 2026, notably SDG 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17, are central to Africa's development priorities.

Progress in these areas has been uneven, not due to lack of political commitment on the part of African countries, but because of persistent structural constraints in the means of implementation, including several limited fiscal space, unsustainable levels of debt and inequal access to finance, technology and capacity building. In this context for Africa, partnerships are not optional, they are indispensable and constitute a strategic priority. Excellencies the African Group underscores that effective partnership must be fully aligned with national and regional development strategies, including Agenda 2063, country led priorities and African Union frameworks. Partnership must also be predictable, transparent and accountable and focus on delivering concrete results on the ground, particularly for the most vulnerable communities. Mr. President for Africa, Partnership must go beyond project based approach and contribute to long term structural transformation including industrialization, energy transition, infrastructure development and sustainable urbanization.

African Continental Free Trade Area illustrates how strategic partnership can deepen regional value chains, promote inclusive industrialization and enhance economic resilience. In this regard, the African Group views the review of ECOSOC and the LAPF as well as discussion on the UN80 initiative as important political opportunities to address the role of ecosocial as the central platform for coordination, coherence and effective follow up of sustainable development within the United Nations System Excellencies. In conclusion, the Group reiterated its commitment to promoting effective partnership to enhance the synergy of our joint efforts for the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A full version of our statement will be made available in the Estatement Platform. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Angola speaking on behalf of the African Group. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of CIVICAS All alliance for Citizen Participation.

Thank you very much Mr. President. Thank you for the opportunity to join these discussions at the Partnership forum on the 80th anniversary of the Economic and Social Council. As you may know, I'm one of the co chairs also of the major groups and other stakeholders 22 constituencies engaged in the sustainable development agenda and alongside many of my colleagues, I'm very glad to join this forum which celebrates and showcases partnerships between member States, UN agencies and many diverse stakeholder groups. From from the earliest days of the un, the importance of broad partnerships has been at the heart of multilateral agreements. The Economic and Social Council is a vital but sometimes overlooked body of the un.

Indeed, economic and social development provides the most essential basis for human societies ensuring greater equality and opportunities for all and this work cannot be achieved without robust partnerships. Stakeholder participation is essential to to the development of all our societies and underpins the Delivery of the 2030 Agenda. Effective policies rely on shared decision making and many community organizations are directly involved in local implementation of critical services such as health, education and sanitation. We are therefore concerned to see some restrictions to civic space increasing in a number of countries and we strongly call for greater opportunities for dialogue and and meaningful engagement. We highlight how many diverse stakeholders represented by the major groups and other stakeholders are actively contributing to the delivery of the SDGs.

At country level, we are ready to work in partnership and we call for greater support for locally led delivery. In particular, in conclusion, we would call for the adoption and expansion of self organized, universal, equitable civil society engagement models across each of the UN processes and based on the good practice here at ecosoc. Secondly, a focus on enhancing direct support for stakeholder participation at each level, including for the HLPF and the SDG Summit. Thirdly, greater engagement of stakeholders in the work streams of the UN 80 reform process and finally, greater access to financing for locally led development with and by local community organizations as we also heard in in some of the panels today. So thank you and we look forward to further participation.

I thank you, Mr. Walley, speaking on behalf of the whole alliance for Citizen Participation. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Republic of Korea, speaking on behalf of Ireland, Mexico and Zambia.

Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, I have honored to deliver this statement on behalf of Ireland, Mexico, Zambia, my own country, the Republic of Korea. I am pleased to share that we have established a Group of Friends of International Development Cooperation Effectiveness to advancing following up to the commitment set up in the IDC and Development Effectiveness chapter of the Sevilla Commitment. Tomorrow marks the launch of this Friends Group, an initiative aimed to provide open space for Member States to engage in a dialogue and and reflect on how to best strengthen and shape the future of IDC effectiveness in the current global context. This partnership reflects our belief that international development cooperation remains a cornerstone of efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and achieve the SDGs. At the same time, development cooperation is coming under increasing strain amid shifting political priorities, reduction in ODA and growing geopolitical fragmentation.

There is also growing need to strengthen the connections between global processes at the UN and the policies, practices and various partnerships that shape international development cooperation on the ground. To this end, the Group of Friends will provide Member States with a neutral and inclusive platform to share knowledge and information, identify common priorities and promote greater coherence across discussions in relevant UN forums. The Group will Also foster constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders working on IDC effectiveness, providing opportunities to exchange insights, share good practices and receive updates on related processes within the beyond the UN system. In closing, we'd like to sincerely thank all Member States that have already joined the Group or have expressed interest in doing so. The Group will continue to provide opportunities for strategic engagement that can inform Member States in close partnership with all stakeholders and support evidence based policy making on future of international development cooperation.

We look forward to working closely with all of you as this partnership moves forward. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Republic of Korea. Now I give the floor floor to Special Representative of the President for relations with International Organization for achieving the SDGs of Russian Federation.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I would like to put forward a few arguments to the distinguished Assembly. First of all, Russia reaffirms its commitment to the principles of sustainable development and the 2030 agenda. But as we can see, the SDG agenda is in crisis. While geopolitical disagreements are dominating, the basic problems of billions of people are going unanswered. Secondly, in these circumstances where there is a reduction of official development assistance and the biggest economies are increasingly concentrating on their own priorities, the most realistic way to support the countries of the Global south is to accelerate technology technology transfer which will help to mobilize domestic resources.

And a key resource in this regard is small and medium enterprises for developing and the least developed countries. SMEs are the main source of employment and accessible goods and services, affordable goods and services, and with legalization or regularization they can become a tax base that can help finance the sustainable development goals. A key practical tool in this regard are digital technologies for tax and banking services for SMEs, registering a business, opening accounts, electronic payments and single window tax payments. Russia has a functioning digital super service which we presented today at a side event to this forum that introduction. The introduction of that super service helped increase the number of SMEs by a million and the number of self employed people by 15 million.

And tax takings from the SME sector in Russia doubled up to $119 billion. So as you can see, Russia doesn't just make money from oil and gas. We have experience of the transfer of these technologies. We transferred it to Kyrgyzstan where similar solutions have made it possible for them to double the tax base of the SME sector. These platforms are things that many countries with a developed digital economy have and we're proposing a partnership and this could be a very significant partnership that we pool and coordinate our efforts and begin the process of transferring digital SME platforms to those states that are ready to introduce them at home.

To coordinate this work and to protect the interests of SMEs at the global level. In general, we we propose the creation of a small center to pool these efforts and to establish the post of a Special envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Development and Protection of SMEs and if necessary, doing so without an additional budget. We would like to ask that these proposals be supported because this could constitute a real partnership that would improve the development of the Global South.

I thank the Special representative of the President for the relations with International Organization for achieving SDG of Russian Federation. Now I give the floor to distinguished representative of Croatia, to be followed by Czechia and Mozambique. Croatia, you have the floor.

Mr. Vice President, Croatia aligns herself with the statement delivered by the European Union. As in previous years, we commend you for your multi stakeholder, inclusive and participatory approach in preparing this forum. Partnerships remain indispensable for delivering transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated action to advance the 2030 Agenda. The SDGs are interdependent and universal. No institution, sector or country can achieve them alone.

Partnerships provide the connective tissue that allows diverse actors to align strengths, pool resources and generate solutions at the scale and speed required for a sustainable future. Allow me to make four points in this regard related to this year's theme. First, partnerships enable transformation by bringing together governments, civil society, academia and the private sector and communities. They support the co creation of policies and interventions that move beyond incremental change. Systemic shifts in energy, food, finance and governance occur only when multiple stakeholders coordinate their actions and incentives.

Second, partnerships are essential for equity. Inclusive collaboration ensures that marginalized groups and local communities have a meaningful voice in shaping development pathways. Equitable partnerships redistribute power, knowledge and resources, ensuring that solutions are not only effective but also just and context appropriate. Third, partnerships drive innovation. Cross sector collaboration accelerates the diffusion of new technologies, data systems, financing models and social innovations.

Research institutions contribute evidence, the private sector brings agility and investment, governments provide enabling environments and communities contribute lived experience and local wisdom. Together they generate breakthroughs unattainable by any actor alone. And fourth, partnerships strengthen coordination, reducing duplication and fragmentation. Multi stakeholder platforms, regional cooperation mechanisms and UN member state partnerships help align national priorities with global commitments, harmonize monitoring frameworks and mobilize financing at scale. Croatia's experience illustrates the power of partnership ranked 8th globally in SDG implementation in the 2025 Sustainable Development Report.

Croatia has advanced through strong collaboration between government, industry, academia, local Communities and civil society platforms such as Croatia's Civil Society Network and SDG focused apps can further improve coordination and implementation.

I thank the distinguished representative of Croatia. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Czechia, to be followed by Mozambique and Inclusive Project.

Well, thank you Mr. President and first of all, let me say that the Czech Republic aligns itself with the EU statement. For the Czech Republic, partnerships are not merely a guiding principle, they are a practical driver of results. Stakeholders play an indispensable role in the work of ICOSOC and in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this context, I wish to highlight in particular the role of private businesses in advancing the sustainability agenda by driving innovation, creating jobs and delivering concrete solutions. Allow me to underline several SDGs that are of particular relevance to us. SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation remains a cornerstone of sustainable development, yet far too many people still lack access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. Water and sanitation are therefore among the priorities of the Czech development cooperation at the national level. Our efforts were recognized in the 2024 UN Water Acceleration Case Study on SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy.

Our updated National Energy and Climate Plan places strong emphasis on phasing out coal, scaling up renewables, improving energy efficiency and strengthening energy security as part of our emissions reduction pathway. The plan also foresees an increased use of nuclear energy as a clean and reliable energy source at a local level. SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities is where global ambitions translate into tangible results. Effective SDG delivery depends on the capacity of regional and local authorities, as well as civil society to design and implement impactful projects. Capacity building for these stakeholders at the regional and local level must be supported through financial, methodological and legal instruments.

Investments in smart cities and regions enhance public services, strengthen resilience and generate measurable benefits for communities. Finally, 2026 will mark a milestone for the 2030 Agenda with the upcoming reviews of ECOSOC and a high level political forum. My country supports a more efficient ECOSOC and a dynamic HLTF at the center of the 2030 Agenda implementation efforts. The ECOSOC Partnership Forum has a vital role to play and I trust it will set us on a strong course for the year ahead. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Czechia. Now I give the floor to Permanent representative of Mozambique.

Mr. President, Mozambique aligns itself with the statement delivered by the G77 and China and the African Group. Mozambique full aligns with the theme of this Partnership Forum. For us, this discussion is not theoretical. It is about sustaining development in the face of escalating and unrelenting climate stress currently undermining hardwood gains across our country. Over the past decade, Mozambique has experienced more than 15 major climate related disasters including cyclones, floods and prolonged droughts.

These shocks directly undermine our capacity to achieve the SDGs under review this year. Mr. President, as we speak, more than 600,000 people in Mozambique have been directly affected by the current flood, the most severe recorded since 1977. Families have lost homes, livelihoods and access to basic services while critical infrastructure is under extreme strain. These flights vividly illustrate how climate shocks translate into SDG reversals. Destroyed water and sanitation system roll back public health gains under SDG 6, damaged energy networks leave communities without power when needed most for recovery.

Under SDG 7, transport corridors and productive infrastructure are repeatedly rebuilt rather than expanded under SDG 9, trapping us in a cycle of repair rather than advancement. And rapid urbanization collides with the flood prone informal settlement under SG11, turning cities into centers of vulnerability rather than resilience. Mr. President, the mandate of this Partnership Forum is critical as part of partnerships must move beyond episodic and reactive responses toward integrated, innovative, coordinated and nationally aligned solutions that protect development gains before they are lost. Mozambique calls for partnership that links humanitarian response, recovery and development, align climate finance with national planning frameworks and finally, Mozambique reforms its steady commitment to the 23rd agenda. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Mozambique. Now I give the floor to distinguished representative of the Inclusivity Project and to be followed by Nigeria and Ecuador.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, partners and colleagues, I speak on behalf of the Inclusivity Project and the stakeholder group of communities discriminated on work and descent. These include the Dali, the Roma, the Haratin, the Kilombola, Burru, Cumming and other communities whose exclusion is rooted in inherited occupation, systemic discrimination and social status, and whose realities remain largely invisible in development policy and practice. Drawing on the collective experience of more than 270 million people affected by dissent based discrimination and informed by the 2025 UN Women Policy Brief with women belonging to these communities, I'm honored to address this ECOSOC Partnership Forum.

This forum calls on us to advance inclusive, practical and evidence based solutions for the 2030 Agenda while remaining true to the commitment to leave no one behind. With only four years left until 2030, this responsibility is especially urgent, particularly in relation to the goals under review this year. Taken together, these goals remind us that the challenge today is not a lack of commitments, but how we deliver these results to reach people and communities on the ground. This is where Digital transportation matters. It is not separate agenda, nor simply about new technology.

When digital tools are designed and governed inclusively, they can improve access to water and energy, health care and social protection while supporting local economies through better access to markets, information and skills. Yet this access remains unequal. Despite progress in connectivity, women from communities discriminated on work and descent continue to face barriers to digital education and decision making. Exclusion from digital spaces deepens inequality and limits access to services, income and opportunity. This is why partnerships are essential.

No single actor can deliver this transformation alone. We call on initiatives such as the Community Based Digital Empowerment and Resource Centers emerging in Cameroon and across Africa, Asia and Europe demonstrates how cross sector collaboration can turn technology into opportunity. By bridging together governments, communities, the UN system and the private sector, these partnerships build skills, support livelihoods and expand access to essential services. With only four years left to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, urgency is no longer optional. The pathways we build now must show progress today while laying the foundation for inclusion beyond 2030.

The choice depends on how we work together and who we choose to include. I thank you.

I thank the Distinguished representative of Inclusivity Project. Now I give the floor to distinguished representative of Nigeria, to be followed by Ecuador and Nepal.

Okay, thank you, Mr. President and Nigeria commenced the convening of this 2026 partnership forum, particularly at a critical time in the drive to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We also align ourselves with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the group of 77 and China and Angola on behalf of the African Group Group Mr. President, with just four years left until 2030, a renewed drive by the international community towards the full implementation of the SDGS has never been more urgent as the development system faces dwindling resources. Actions by stakeholders must be coordinated, innovative, transformative and equitable to avoid duplicity and waste and to ensure that the most vulnerable receive the most support. So the UN80 initiative should therefore be implemented in a way that guarantees these outcomes. International cooperation and partnerships are crucial for the 2030 Agenda and the theme of this forum captures this imperative for SDG 6.

Increased support for initiatives such as the IMDG 6 would ensure more people worldwide have access to clean water and sanitation. Similarly, the international community must meet commitments made towards the financing of affordable and clean energy, especially in developing countries. The Global Digital Compact provides a framework for close I mean to close the digital divide, ensure universal connectivity and foster secure, sustainable and digital digital infrastructure by 2030. It is therefore a vital accelerator for SDG 9 by translating goals into concrete actions such as deploying resilient, affordable Internet in remote areas and supporting digital transformation for micro, small and medium enterprises. As a convening forum, ECOSOC can make a strong contribution to the 2030 Agenda by encouraging increased international partnerships between governments, institutions and private capital towards the full attainment of the 2030 Agenda for us.

Such as this. Such as this, where all stakeholders can exchange views, share perspectives and develop relationships are important in this regard, Mr. Chair. This will ensure that no country is left behind in the drive for sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nigeria. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ecuador.

Gracias. Thank you, Mr. President. Ecuador aligns itself with the statements by Uruguay. On behalf of the of 77 and China and in our national capacity, we would like to say the following. In 2026 we see the beginning of Ecuador's 10th term on ECOSOC and as in the past, our commitment to the Charter will guide our action with the awareness that inequalities, inequity and poverty are the main reasons for breaches of the peace in the broadest sense.

For Ecuador, building resilient infrastructure and encouraging innovation requires us to be strategic and collaborative in the face of rapid economic transformation, while always strengthening multilateral cooperation and public private partnerships with innovative partnerships to make Progress on the 2030 Agenda. Digital transformation, public policy innovation and strengthening human capital through education are essential for us to compete in a global economy that is constantly changing and in order for us to achieve the targets of SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure on STG 11 cities and sustainable communities ten years ago, at the Habitat 3 conference held in Ecuador, the New Urban Agenda was adopted together with the Quito Declaration, which is a guidance document for my country. Ecuador reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda by presenting its National Progress Report. It must be recognized that cities play a leading role and they are essential spaces for promoting coordinated actions that promote sustainable development on SDG 6 clean water and sanitation and SDG 7 accessible, affordable energy. Ecuador presented its second National Determined Contribution in February 2025, which prioritizes water management and climate resilience.

This document includes 81 initiatives with a focus on gender and interculturality, mainstreaming water adaptation and the mitigation of emissions to ensure that sustainable development is resilient to drought. Mainstreaming environmental sustainability in our strategies through clean energy, responsible mining and green financing is key to mitigating climate change without sacrificing social progress and all of this are the expectations and priorities of my delegation for the high level political forum in 2026 Ecuador is convinced that in order to achieve the targets of the 2030 Agenda, that will only be possible if developing countries have the necessary means of implementation and the support of revitalized global partnerships. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ecuador. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal, to be followed by Grey Panthers Thailand, Indonesia, Dominican Republic Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, at the outset, I commend the timely convening of ECOSOC Partnership Forum 2026. Nepal aligns itself with this statement delivered on behalf of G77 and China and wishes to make the following remarks in national capacity. Mr. President, the Agenda 2030 reflects our shared vision for peace, dignity and prosperity through global partnership. With only 35% of progress on track with we are far from achieving the SDGs.

A complex global landscape, weakening multilateralism, deepening conflicts, climate shocks, declining ODA debt distress and widening economic and digital inequalities further exacerbate vulnerabilities for the Global south, particularly countries in special situations. This demonstrates a clear crisis of development and delivery. Mr. President, Nepal has embedded SDGs into national policies and plans on a pathway to become a middle income country by 2030 and a high middle income country by 2043. We have made progress across SDG 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17, among others. Overall SDG progress stands at over 41%, well above the global average.

We are graduating from LDC category this year, hence in need of continued international support for irreversible and sustainable growth. Graduation at our development challenge challenges underscore fostering effective partnership and co creating scalable solutions. Mr. President, let me highlight a few points for action. First, adequate predictable and scaled up financing for development and climate action. Closing STG financing gaps requires fulfillment of ODA commitments, increased concessional and climate financing, STG stimulus implementation and reforms of global financial architecture.

Second, stronger global partnerships including south, south and Triangular cooperation. This is critical to enhancing public, private and innovative financing. Sharing of policy learnings, technology transfer, capacity building and domestic resource mobilization for delivering on global commitments and SDGs. Third, leveraging digital transformation, innovation and evidence based policymaking. Tailored support for for digital economy, clean energy technologies, youth entrepreneurship and national productive capacity can reinforce sustainable development and structural transformation.

Fourth, embedding equity, accountability and resilience at the core of global development. Global partnerships and policy frameworks must address debt pressure, economic and digital inequalities, disruptive impacts of emerging technologies including AI governance, gaps in five structure and capacity constraints, while ensuring transparent monitoring and tangible benefits, especially for those farthest behind. Finally, Mr. President, revitalize multilateralism. With UN at its core and agile ECOSOC, the UN80 initiative presents a pivotal opportunity to enhance coherence across UN system.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Great Panthers.

Thank you. I've lived long enough to watch the future arrive faster than policy. We still plan as if aging were an Exception. Yet by 2030, the target date for the SDG is 1 in 6 people worldwide will be over 60. I don't experience development in targets or indicators.

I experience it in whether the streets are safe, transport is usable and services are accessible by design, not by exception. Living longer is something to celebrate and to prepare for. By mid century, life expectancy will approach 77 years. This is not only about people my age. It's about the kind of future today's children, young people and adults will grow into.

Too often older persons are edged out of everyday life. But I've seen what works. Around 1500 cities and communities across more than 50 countries are part of the WHO Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities. That shows momentum. It also shows how low limited countries is.

Most age friendly initiatives are concentrated in high income countries. Low and middle income countries where urban growth and population aging are happening fastest, remain underrepresented. I'm not here to ask for favors. Older people care for families, support our communities and contribute to the economy. At the very least, we need environments that enable us to keep us doing so.

What's needed now is partnerships at scale. Adapting to longer lives is not the task of one sector or one generation. It requires government, cities, civil society and the private sector working together to redesign how communities function across the life course. The Stakeholder Group on Aging invites each of you to be partners in making this new standard. Thank you.

I thank the distance distinguished representative of Grey Panthers. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand.

Mr. President, Thailand ally itself with a statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China. Throughout its 80 years, Ecosoc has been an open, inclusive space for advancing collaboration and supporting coordinated action by governments, the UN system and our stakeholders. We commend its continued efforts to strengthen partnerships in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The multidimensional nature of ECOSOC reflects the complex and interconnected economic, social and development challenges that we face today. We wish we could address all these challenges simultaneously.

In reality, resources, however, remain limited and unevenly distributed. This makes prioritization, effective coordination and strong partnerships even more Critical. Allow me to share Thailand's suggestion as follows. First, ECOSOC should draw more systematically on the expertise of UN's specialized agency and its functional commissions to provide data and evidence based policy guidance to Member States. Strengthening the linkages between foresight work, UN country level support and national development priorities would help ensure that emerging risks and opportunities are addressed in a timely and practical manner.

Second, poverty, climate change, a digital divide, fragmented global economic and financial architecture deserve continual attention across ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies. Third, greater attention should be given to countries in special situations. The LDCs and SIDS that structural vulnerabilities require tailored and sustained support. Fourth, regional dimensions need to feature prominently in the work of ECOSOC and hlpf. After all, the regional commissions are making critical contributions not only within their regions but also at the global and country levels.

Lastly, contribution of all the ECOSOC segments and forums should inspire our deliberations for the 2026 Ministerial Declaration and accelerate progress across the SDGs. Taila looks forward to action oriented and practical recommendations and effective partnerships are built on shared objectives guided by evidence and sustained through financing, knowledge sharing and a capacity building. Equally important, community led partnerships build trust, strengthen ownership and ensure accountability. With effective and community led partnerships, policies and plans of action can better deliver meaningful impact on the ground. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you Mr. President. Indonesia aligns herself to the statement made on behalf of the G77 and China. We meet at a critical juncture for multilateralism and for the future of sustainable development. Global challenges are becoming more complex and interconnected, yet some countries are stepping back from their commitments to the SDGs. Against this backdrop, the UN Partnership Forum is becoming more relevant to reignite collective commitment and translate solidarity into concrete action.

Allow me to underline three following points. First, partnerships as anchored in SDG 17 reminds us that fundamentally the SDGs cannot be achieved by any country acting alone. Partnerships are not supplementary, they are the cross cutting enabler of SDG's achievement. In this regard, ECOSOC should play a strategic role in catalyzing partnerships that are outcome oriented, align with local needs, national priorities and linked to clear implementation pathways. Partnerships that are not measured by the number of commitments made but by the concrete results they deliver.

Second, meaningful progress are achievable through partnerships with relevant stakeholders. Innovative financing demonstrated that private capital can be mobilized to support SDGs when clear policy direction and credible partnerships are in place. A weakening of global commitment risks undermining these hard won gains. We must therefore continue to send a strong and consistent message that private sector participation, as well as other stakeholders remains essential to delivering the 2030 Agenda. Third, this forum should facilitate concrete and impactful action.

Today's segments showcase successful practices of how partnerships could address development challenges. This should trigger the Forum to capture, scale up and connect these successful partnerships to countries where they are most needed. The forum should also contribute to strengthening follow up and support mechanisms to ensure that partnerships respond to identified gaps in means of implementation, particularly for developing countries. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Dominican Republic, to be followed by children and international Morocco and Peru.

Gracias, Senor. Thank you Chair the Dominican Republic endorses the statement of Uruguay on behalf of the G77, in China and Palau on behalf of we reiterate the importance of leaving no one behind. In order to do this, it's essential that we revise our practices and identify what results are effective and which are not, and share what we've learned to apply it in various contexts. Use alliances as tools that can bring us towards sustainable development. With national priorities taken into account, the Dominican Republic has concentrated on innovation with our National Development strategy, including the SDGs at all levels.

When it comes to clean water and sanitation, we have developed international cooperation initiatives such as the project to improve sanitation infrastructure in San Cristobal, supported by the French Development Agency with the aim of extending the coverage of the drainage network and improve the quality of water. Also, the Dominican Republic, with very many other developing countries, particularly small island developing States, is facing significant changes given natural disasters and climate change. We have seen an improvement in the resilience of our communities thanks to cooperation initiatives that strengthen the monitoring of climate events and support the improvement of infrastructure in vulnerable areas. One example of this is the strengthening of monitoring of climate shocks disasters led by the National Meteorology Office with the support of the World Food Programme in addition to our Resilience program funded by the European Investment bank and the European Union, its aim is to improve public infrastructure and in priority provinces. When it comes to energy transition, our goal is to achieve 99.5% coverage by 2030, although there are gaps still in rural areas where we request support from the international community.

With regard to SDG 9, we have established a Plastic Training Center. It's a public private partnership to promote sustainable industrial development. We use that forum to call upon the international community to share with us best practices and promote alliances that will provide results beneficial to everyone. Thank you. I thank the Distinguished representative of Dominican Republic.

Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Children and Youth International.

Thank you. Chair for the floor, I am Josh Hoxby, global focal point of the STG 7 youth constituency and speaking on behalf of the major group for Children and youth, the mandated constituency, engaging over 20,000 youth organisations in over 50 intergovernmental and 200 stakeholder processes. The interconnected challenges we face today demand renewed global action. Yet the trust of multilateral institutions is weakening. The erosion of trust is not abstract.

It reflects a growing gap between global commitments and delivery on the ground. We offer the following recommendations. First, as 2030 draws closer, we call for no backsliding on the implementation and review of SDG 17 in the HLPF cycle. SDG 17 is not procedural. It is central to delivery, including robust national reporting on means of implementation, capacity building and technology transfer.

Any attempts to dilute or downgrade the focus of SDG 17 would ultimately undermine the very foundations and enabling conditions for Agenda 2030. Second, effective partnerships in the implementation of UN frameworks are incomplete without reforming the international financial architecture. Architecture. The youth constituency is deeply concerned about the absence of a credible route map forward towards sovereign debt reform before 2030. The fundamental systems underscoring global development cannot stay broken.

We call for this year's HLPF political declaration to mandate an intergovernmental process on debt. Third, partnerships should advance human rights and sustainable development, not to compromise them. We call on UN agencies to strengthen safeguards and regulate partnerships with actors such as fossil fuel companies and Big Pharma corporations. Safeguards are not barriers to partnerships. They are essential to the institutional credibility and public trust.

Finally, with Secretary General elections approaching in 2026, we urge all candidates to place partnerships at the core of their vision and manifestos. Our expectations of the next Secretary General are clear. Adherence to human rights, acknowledgement of atrocities, of genocides wherever they occur, and recognition of youth and stakeholder partnerships as central pillars not only in shaping multilateralism, but in implementing it. These issues should also be addressed at the upcoming PGA debates. Excellencies, colleagues, children and youth stand ready to contribute.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Children and Youth International. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.

Mr. President, the delegation welcomes the convenient of this partnership forum at a meaningful moment as we mark 80 years of Ecosoc. Today, partnerships are no longer optional, they are strategic pillar of the 2030 Agenda. This has been reaffirmed by the Sevilla Commitment and the Pact for the Future, which call for partnerships that are inclusive and impact oriented. This forum is therefore timely. It takes place as we prepare for 2026 HLPF and for the timely review of the SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17, which we consider a catalytic goal for the 2030 Agenda.

My delegation is firmly convinced that the achievement of the SDGS is inseparable from strong and inclusive multi stakeholder partnerships. The private sector drives innovation, investment and scalable solutions. Academia contribute through research and data, thus underpin evidence based policies. Civil society and local communities, in turn ensure inclusion and advocacy through strong cross sector and public private partnerships. These actors can accelerate progress and contribute to translating commitment into action.

Mr. President, for Morocco, partnerships must also be grounded in regional ownership and solidarity. Therefore, south south cooperation remains at the cornerstone of Morocco's development approach, particularly in Africa. In line with the SDGS and the review this year allow me to highlight two flagship continental initiatives launched by my country. First, the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which facilitates access for Sahelan landlocked countries to Atlantic Ocean while strengthening connectivity, trade flows and regional integration. Second, the Morocco Nigeria Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a strategic energy corridor that enhances energy security and opens new geoeconomic opportunities for West Africa.

Through these concrete initiatives, Morocco reaffirms its unwavering commitment to its African family, promoting African led solutions that respond to the continent priorities. Mr. President, the years 2025 and 2026 offer a critical window to turn commitment into results, including those of Doha political decoration, Sevilla commitment, the NICE commitment for the ocean and the upcoming UN Water Conference. Renewing multilateralism means renewing our partnerships. Morocco stands ready to contribute with its partners to multilateralism of result, solidarity and shared responsibility for a prosperous future for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru, to be followed by Jim Babe Sustainable Literacy Test Portugal, Mexico and Algeria. Gracias. Thank you, Chair. My delegation endorses the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 in China.

It's an honor to participate in this forum at a decisive moment for the achievement of these sustainable development goals. In a context of limited resources and growing demands, coordination between states, civil society, the private sector, academia and the United nations system is essential to effectively respond to to the aspirations for well being of our societies. For Peru, these partnerships constitute strategic tools to address complex challenges. As a middle income country, we face structural gaps that require results oriented responses. Within this framework, we give priority to international cooperation in order to overcome poverty, reduce inequalities and develop digital capacities, as well as to strengthen institutions and combat organized crime.

Furthermore, in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Peru as a very diverse country underscores the importance of having strategic partners to access financing, clean technologies and innovative services solutions. These partnerships make it possible to improve integrated water resource management, promote climate resilient agriculture, boost clean energy and move toward more resilient and environmentally responsible urban development.

Chair with regard to recommendations, Peru wishes to highlight the experience of presidential summits and bi national ministerial cabinets with our neighboring countries. This is a concrete example of partnerships with tangible results in favour of sustainable cross border development. These high level dialogue mechanisms between neighbouring countries incorporate action plans with indicators, areas of responsibility and defined timelines in areas such as border integration, trade, infrastructure, security, social development and technical cooperation. This approach, which promotes coordinated participation by the public and private sectors in the implementation of commitments, has helped strengthen trust among neighbouring countries, fostering peace and security at the regional level as well as pooling efforts towards comprehensive and sustainable sustainable border development. In this regard it constitutes a valuable reference for other contexts provided that its practical, operational and results oriented nature is preserved.

Thank you very much. I thank the distinguished representative of Peru. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe.

Thank you Mr. President. We welcome the convening of this ECOSOC Pan Partnership Forum.

Opening the ECOSOC cycle with this dialogue places partnership at the center of development as a tool of delivery. The SDGs under review form the arteries of development itself. Without water, dignity fades, without energy, productivity stalls, without infrastructure, inclusion fractures. Without sustainable cities, resilience weakens and without partnerships, scale is impossible. Their interdependence compels a shift from fragmented action to integrated delivery systems that align policy, finance, technology and community ownership into one architecture of impact.

We therefore see partnerships not as parallel government action, but its delivery multipliers, mobilizing innovation, unlocking finance, transferring knowledge and translating global commitments into local transformation as reaffirmed in the Sevilla commitment and the Pact for the Future. Partnerships must be accountable, inclusive and results driven, rooted in trust, shared leadership and national ownership. Looking ahead, three priorities gather guide the Council cycle and the hlpf. First, impact over intention. Partnerships must move from declarations to measurable outcomes anchored in clear accountability frameworks and transparent reporting.

Second, financing alignment. Innovative partnerships must crowd in blended finance, diaspora, capital, private investment and development finance fully aligned with long term national development strategies. Third, localization of delivery. Global platforms must empower cities, communities, SMEs, women and youth as co producers of development. This requires partnerships that connect diaspora, finance, infrastructure and MSMEs clean energy to water, security and climate resilience, digital innovation to service delivery and public policy to private capital and community action.

Building practical bridges between ambition and reality Mr. President, the forum rightly frames the upcoming EGASOC and HLP of review alongside consideration of the UN8 initiative as a moment of renewal that must shift the system from reflection to results. It calls for institutions to go beyond convening ECOSOC as a hub of coordination and HLPF as a platform of accountability and partnerships, as the living infrastructure of implementation that is agile, responsive and impactful.

I thank the permanent representative of Zimbabwe. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sustainability Literacy trust. Thank you, Mr. President. The 2030 Agenda calls for transformative, equitable and coordinated action. Yet the gap between ambition and action remains the root cause.

Most of our future decision makers are still trained in silos without the systemic understanding needed to address the interconnected challenges of clean water, affordable energy, sustainable cities and inclusive innovation. Precisely the SDGs and the review at this year's HLPF Expandal is deciding to bridge that gap as a flagship initiative of the French government's 2030 plan. We are not just another sustainability program. We are a systemic response targeting the 70% of faculty who are not necessarily a pioneer nor a resistor, yet whose engagement is fundamentally important to embed SDGs across all the curriculum.

So we are going to train 6,000 to 10,000 educators over four years. We co create strategies and pedagogical tools that align with SDG 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17. Because these goals cannot be achieved without equitable partnership and transformative education, EXPANDIA builds on proven initiatives that extend their impact internationally, leveraging the global reach and expertise of SULITEST and the higher education sustainability Initiative HESI Networks and is led by a multi stakeholder consortium including Solites Paris, Eclair University, Nantes University, Ticket for Change, Campus de la Transicion and Global Partners. We scale what we know already works. Our approach is very simple.

We don't reinvent the wheel. We learn from what it works, adapt it and share it. So if your organization or your university is already advancing faculty training for sustainability, let's connect together. We can accelerate progress and ensure that every educator everywhere is equipped to prepare the leaders our planet needs. Let's make sustainability the norm.

Let's expand the circle of change starting here today. Thank you so much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Sassano Literacy Test. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Portugal.

Thank you, Mr. President. Portugal aligns itself with a statement delivered by the EU and would like to add the following in its national capacity, with four years left to the 2030 Agenda and an increasingly fragmented international landscape, there is only one way forward to deliver on its through partnerships. Partnerships accelerate progress when anchored in trust, shared leadership and inclusion and when financing, policy and implementation move in the same direction. ECOSOC remains a natural platform to promote such partnerships with coherence, coordination and accountability. At the end, Portugal approaches this forum and the SDG is under review with this conviction.

On SDG 6, we focus on governance as the foundation for impact. The Global Water Government Coalition launched by Portugal at the 2023 UN Water Conference brings together governments, regulators and partners to strengthen climate, resilient water and sanitation systems. At the regional level, initiatives such as the Luzo Reg reinforce institutions institutional capacity through self soft cooperation. On SDG 7, we combine concrete action with innovative finance project as illuminasous in Angola expand access to clean energy while strengthening public services. At the same time, our debt for climate swap with Cabo Verde transforms sovereign debt into long term investments for the energy transition.

On SCG9, resilient digital infrastructure and governance go hand in hand. Portugal promotes secure and diversified connectivity including through its engagement on submarine cable resilience. We also support multi stakeholder cooperation through the luzaphone Internet Governance Forum promoting an open, secure and inclusive Internet across Portuguese speaking countries. On SDG 11, partnerships are essential to build inclusive and resilient communities. Portugal has prioritized digital connectivity in remote and insular regions and strength strengthen data driven housing governance through initiatives as a housing rental and urban rehabilitation observatory and the Gulf War HAB project supporting more effective and resilient housing policies.

Finally, SCG 17 underpins all our efforts. The implementation of the Sevilla commitment is central to this work. We have endorsed several Sevilla Platform for Action initiatives and remain fully engaged to their follow up, including in the context of the ikasaka50 forum. Furthermore, in our capacity as Vice President of the High Level Committee on SASOF Cooperation, we will continue placing emphasis on triangular cooperation too as a practical way of sharing solutions, mobilizing trust and scaling impact towards the SDGs Excellencies Colleagues, the path to 2030 will be defined by the quality of our partnerships. Portugal stands ready to work with all partners through ECOSOC and the HLPF to turn cooperation to results.

I thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Portugal. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mexico would like to thank you for convening the 2026 ECOSOC partnerships forum taking place in a global context marked by climate crises, persistent inequalities and growing geopolitical tensions. This scenario confirms that no country can face the challenges of sustainable development on its own and reinforces the need for strong, inclusive and results oriented partnerships. Partnerships are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda. It's not only a matter of cooperation, but also of aligning policies, financing and capacities in order to translate global commitments into concrete impacts at the national and local levels.

In this regard, Mexico agrees that partnerships must be transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated. As proposed by this forum at the national level, Mexico has strengthened a multi stakeholder governance model for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The Executive Secretariat of the National Council for the 2030 Agenda serves as a coordination space between the federal government, sub national governments, the legislative and judicial branches, the private sector, academia, civil society and other actors committed to sustainable development. This approach recognises that the localization of the SDGs is key to leaving no one behind. In this context, let me give you a couple of concrete examples.

First of all, the role of local governments and youth as strategic partners. Mexico actively promotes voluntary local reviews and has consolidated the youth network for the 2030 Agenda which has led to sustainable development actions at the community level, strengthened youth leadership and contributed to national planning processes including the National Development Plan 2025, 2030. These partnerships demonstrate that the 2030 Agenda comes to life when it is built from the territories. Second, partnerships to advance progress on the priority SDGs of the 2026 High Level Political Forum. In the case of SDG 6, Mexico has adopted a comprehensive approach that recognizes water as a human right and a common good, supported by institutional strengthening, public investment in water infrastructure and mechanisms for citizen participation.

With regard to SDG 7, the country is moving forward towards a just energy transition, combining the strengthening of public enterprises with partnerships with the private sector, academia and civil society in order to guarantee affordable, clean and reliable energy. These examples confirm that the most effective partnerships are those that go beyond discourse and are translated into tangible actions. With regard to the upcoming review of ECOSOC and the HLPF in the context of of the Urineity Initiative, Mexico considers it's essential to strengthen the role of ECOSOC as a platform for articulating these meaningful partnerships. Thank you very much. I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria, to be followed by Stakeholder Forum for Sustainable Future South Africa, Austria, Limotes and Lebanon.

Thank you, Mr. President. Algeria welcomes the convening of the 2026 ICASO Partnership Forum, an important platform to exchange on how we can accelerate our efforts for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. With only four years remaining until 2030 and very modest progress on Sustainable Development Goals, this forum provides a crucial platform to affirm that partnerships are not optional but essential. As reaffirmed in the Sevilla Commitment and the Pact for the Future, Meaningful, accountable and impactful partnerships lie at the heart of achieving SDGs. The focus on goals 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17 is very relevant.

Clean water, affordable energy, resilient infrastructure and sustainable cities are deeply interconnected. They require coordinated action across governments, international institutions, the private sector and civil society. Mr. President, Algeria is advancing partnership based development through the implementation of the United Nations Algeria Sustainability Sustainable development cooperation framework 2023 2027. In addition, Algeria has recently strengthened its partnerships by exceeding the Global Green Growth Institute and the implementation of the new African Development Bank Counter Strategy 2025 2030. In parallel, Algeria has launched a national process on the social and solidarity economy to promote inclusive partnership and job creation for Africa.

Despite its vast human and natural resources, the continent continues to face structural challenges. Unlocking the potential of Africa and its youth and harnessing the promises of the African Continental Free Trade Area will require sustained investment in infrastructure, technology transfer and digitalization. Mr. President, this forum should further promote more coherent, inclusive and results oriented partnerships. Algeria stands ready to contribute constructively to this collective endeavor in support of the 2030 Agenda and the African Union 2063 Agenda so that no one and no country is left behind. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Algeria. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Stakeholder Forum for ISOST Future.

Mr. President, for more than 25 years, stakeholder forum for Sustainable Future has served as a bridge between stakeholders and the international forums where sustainable development is debate, goals set and strategies defined. Our mission is to promote open, accountable and participatory decision making. We work to strengthen good governance by ensuring continuous stakeholder engagement in both global discussions and the actions that follow. Achieving purpose built partnership requires flexibility and a shift in mindset and this remains central to our work. Delivery on SDG 7, 11 and 17 under review this year demands a move from from broad commitments to implementation focused coalitions.

SDG 7 partnership must accelerate public private investment to expand renewable energy, reinforce grid resilience and ensure affordability for vulnerable communities. SDG 11 partnerships must strengthen CO cooperation among local authorities, multilateral institutions and knowledge partners to advance sustainable mobility, resilient infrastructure and inclusive services. SDG 17 partnership must provide the backbone through data sharing systems and capacity building platforms that turn global ambitions into local action. This is why we call for a quantitative review of SDG partners for the 2027 SDG High Level Session on their impacts and lessons learned on accelerating implementation of SDGs. Stakeholder forum is engaging all partners on its new project for the 2027 review of the 2030 Agenda with a focus on the environmental SDGs.

This discussion paper marking the launch of the project is available on our website stakeholderforum.org and we invite all interested stakeholders to work with us. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Distinguished representative of Stakeholder Forum for sustained future. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of south africa.

Thank you, Mr. President. No single actor South Africa wishes to align itself with the statements of the G77 plus China as well as the Africa Group. No single actor can mobilize the scale of sorry can mobilize the scale, expertise, technology and implementation capacity required to get the SDGs back on track. When anchored in clear development outcomes, partnerships can also shorten the distance between global commitments and local impact. ECOSOC's partnership forum thus serves as a critical tool for sustainable development through collaborative engagement and implementation.

This Forum provides the opportunity for a stock taking and important discussion on improving delivery along the particular Sustainable Development Goals. We also find this conversation as vital in the context of current discussions underway regarding the UN 80 initiative, where it will be important to continue to maintain and safeguard the prominence of the developmental agenda amongst Member States as well as within the organization as reflected in the 2030 Agenda, the severe Commitment and the Pact for the Future. In a world of constrained fiscal space and growing trust deficits, partnerships that are grounded in equity, mutual respect, responsibility and measurable results can rebuild confidence in the multilateral cooperation and help ensure that progress is accelerated for those furthest behind. In the current global context, partnerships are not optional add ons, but core delivery mechanisms for society sustainable development Effective partnerships help bridge persistent gaps in resources and capabilities by aligning public policy with private investment, blending concessional and commercial financial responsibility, and accelerating technology transfer and capacity development in ways that are responsive to national priorities. They should be country led and aligned with national development plans, support policy coherence and strengthen institutions rather than create parallel systems or fragmented initiatives.

Mr. President, this year's action segments are all universally a focus for South Africa, but 2026 is a key year for progress on the water agenda and South Africa looks forward to work with all partners ensuring water and sanitation for healthy societies and economies for all. South Africa believes that in our efforts to address the current global water challenges together we must utilize the spotlight on SDG 6 presented by the 2026 UN Water Conference and the HLPF to advocate for progressive and responsive solutions. We worked in partnership with the African Union out of NEPAD and the Africa Water Investment Program High Level Panel and the Global Water Partnership and South Africa convened the Africa Water Investment Summit in cape town in August 2025 under the South Africa's G20 presidency. Mr. President, we once again thank you for your leadership in facilitating this important meeting. The Partnership Forum remains a relevant mechanism within the ercosoc.

I thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of South Africa. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria.

Thank you Mr. President. I would like to start by aligning myself with the statement to be delivered by the EU.

We welcome this in depth exchange on the SDGs under review during this year's HLPF. Today's insights and recommendations should feed into the upcoming discussions and the HLPF Ministerial Declaration as host to one of the UN Headquarters Partnership is part of our DNA. Many of the international organizations based in Vienna address topics relevant to the SDGs under review this year, for instance, the IAEA, UNIDO or the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. As today's discussions have reaffirmed, industrialization, innovation and infrastructure are central to sustainable development, but progress toward SDG 9 remains uneven across countries, sectors and population groups. For this reason, we encourage ECOSOC and indeed all Member States to strengthen cooperation with UNIDO and take full advantage of the organization's expertise in the areas of expanding industrial capacity, adopting advanced technologies and integrating into global value chains.

Together with unido, Austria has also been championing the causes of renewable energy and energy efficiency for a long time. I would like to point out one particular project that embodies the idea of partnership and cooperation. The Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centers. This network comprises 1010 operational centers across the globe. The Centers have been endorsed by more than 120 ministers of energy and Heads of State and together serve amongst others 41 LDCs and 35 SIDS.

Austria is also a global leader in sustainable urban development focusing on green and energy efficient cities. SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities is in our view a prime example for for an area that lends itself to peer to peer learning and an exchange of best practices. Regarding SDG 6, Austria is very much supporting the lead up to the 2026 UN Water Conference and is looking forward to a high level participation. Mr. President, as my final point, Austria is particularly honored to serve as the Co Chair of this year's ECOSOC STI Forum together with our Co Chair Sam Zambia we are working very hard to make use of the Forum's full potential. Further details regarding the STI Forum will be forthcoming shortly and I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Austria. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor Lesi.

Mr. President, Excellencies Timor Leste align itself with statements delivered by groups of 77 in China and the Aussies and would like to highlight some points in our national capacity. Timor Leste is honored to address this 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum at this decisive moment for the 2030 Agenda under the theme of this forum, we are reminded that sustainable development is both an aspiration and an urgent responsibility.

The SDGS under review speaks directly to the development realities of my country. In Timor Leste, many rural communities still lack reliable access to clean water and sanitation. Expanding safe water system is not only a healthy priority, a health priority, but also a foundation for dignity and productivity. Energy access has improved, yet our dependence on imported fuels and limited renewable infrastructure leaves us exposed to price volatility and climate risk.

Infrastructure gaps continue to constrain economic diversification and private sector growth in our capital Dili. Rapid urbanization is increasing pressure on housing, waste management and resilient public services.

We believe these challenges are not unique to Timor Leste. They reflect the broader realities of countries with circumstances similar to ours. However, they are now compounded by a worrying trend, the decline in ODA amid raising development financing needs. If this trend continues, progress towards SDGS will be slower precisely where it is needed most. We therefore call for a renewed global commitment for partnership driven development.

First, we urge development partners and international financial institutions to scale up innovative and concessional financing for SDG priority sectors, particularly water systems, renewable energy, rural infrastructure and digital connectivity. Second, we call on partners to support technology transferring capacity building to strengthen lasting national capabilities. Third, we encourage the private sector to engage in responsible and inclusive investment partnership, especially in sustainable energy, agribusiness, tourism and digital services to help diversify fragile economies. Fourth, we reaffirm the central role of national

I thank the distinguished representative of Timor Lese. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lebanon, to be followed by Women's World Banking, European Union, Spain, Saudi Arabia and China.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Lebanon lines itself with a statement delivered by the Permanent presenter of Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China. a time of overlapping global crisis, partnership must become practical instruments for delivery, resilience and transformation. As a member of ecosa, KLEBN attaches particular importance to this forum and to central role of partnerships in Advancing the 2030 Agenda partnerships are not optional. They are essential for recovery, reconstruction and sustainable development. Our national priorities focus on restoring macroeconomic stability, strengthening institutions, rebuilding social services and creating inclusive economic opportunities, particularly for youth, women and vulnerable communities.

Lebanon Strengthening partnerships to improve access to safe water and sanitation, enhance water governance, reduce losses and promote efficient and sustainable water management, including through support from international partners and UN agencies. On SDG 7, Lebanon's advanced cooperation to accelerate transition to affordable and clean energy Recognizing the critical role of partnerships in addressing energy insecurity and supporting economic recovery, it is important to strengthen public private partnership to Support productive investment, MSMEs, innovation, digital transformation and resilient infrastructure. We are expanding cooperation with international financial institution, the Lebanese Diaspora and development partners. Last November, Beirut 1 Investment Conference gathered private sector players, international investors and the Lebanese diaspora. Moreover, Lebanon is planning to hold an Agriculture Investment Conference in May, gathering all stakeholders oriented toward agribusiness and rural development.

On SDG 11, Lebanon is promoting partnerships at local level, engaging municipalities, civil society, academia and the private sector to support more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities and communities in the field of science, technology and innovation. Lebanon recognizes partnership as a strategic accelerator for sustainable development. Inspired by the Sevilla commitment, we reaffirmed that meaningful collaboration between governments, academia, the private sector and civil society is essential to harness science and technology for development and close digital divides.

Revitalizing SDG 17 requires more than coordination. It requires trust, shared responsibility and equitable cooperation, including South, South, north, south and triangular cooperation. Mr. President, Lebanon reaffirms its commitment to building partnerships that deliver recovery, resilience and long term sustainable development. We stand ready to work with all partners to translate global commitments into local impact and to ensure that partnership becomes engine of hope, stability and opportunity for our people. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Lebanon. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Women's World banking.

Thank you, Mr. President, Excellency's distinguished colleagues. Women's World Banking is honored to participate in this forum that recognizes transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions as essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda. As we move towards 2030, progress towards a sustainable future remains uneven. 700 million women are still excluded from the formal financial system, hindering resilient livelihoods and shared prosperity. Addressing this challenge requires urgent action action oriented partnerships that turn global communities into local impact.

To support coordinated action, Women's World Banking, in collaboration with the World bank, has been consulting on the Policy Handbook for Women's Financial Inclusion. This policy handbook distills global evidence into actionable guidance for policymakers offering practical tools for embedding gender responsive approaches into financial sector strategies, laws, supervisory practices and institutional mandates. We urge policymakers worldwide to use this resource to identify and address gender related gaps in their financial systems, leveraging the Handbook's seven gender policy principles to create equitable systems that work for women and economic growth in which all can prosper. As a concrete example, the Women's Digital Financial Inclusion Hub in Indonesia, conceptualized by Women's World Banking, convenes government policymakers, regulators, financial services providers and grassroots women's organizations to advance women's economic empowerment. By mobilizing state budgets and embedding women's digital financial inclusion into national policy frameworks, the Hub demonstrates how coordinated, multi stakeholder partnerships can drive and sustain progress towards SDG 17 on partnership for the Goals.

Drawing on these experiences, Women's World Banking urges member states and partners to integrate gender responsibility responsive approaches and to national financial strategies and invest in platforms that convene public, private and civil society actors to co create solutions. We stand ready to work with all partners to turn transformative, innovative and coordinated actions into tangible results for women, their families and communities worldwide. Thank you.

I thank the Distinguished Representative of Women's World Banking. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of European Union

thank you, President Excellencies, esteemed colleagues, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member States.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, as well as Armenia and San Marino, align themselves with this statement. We first want to thank the ECOSOC President for convening the Partnership Forum and at a critical moment for the 2030 Agenda for the EU partnerships to achieve the SDGs are not an abstract principle. They are practical means to mobilize finance, innovation, knowledge and trust and to translate political ambition into tangible results. And it is a main reason for progress we see towards Agenda 2030. Although it is not enough, as reaffirmed in the Sevilla Commitment and the Pact for the Future, partnerships must be inclusive, accountable and driven by measurable impact.

This is the very logic on which the EU's Global Gateway strategy is built, aligning public and private investment, policy, dialogue and local resilience to deliver sustainable high impact outcomes. The Forum's focus on SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17 reflects the interconnected nature of today's challenges and the importance to tackle them through partnerships which we do as Team Europe. Through Global Gateway access to clean water and sanitation underpins public health, food security and climate resilience. The EU continues to support integrated water resource management and cross sector cooperation, including in the lead up to the 2026 UN Water Conference on Energy. Accelerating the transition to affordable and clean energy is indispensable for sustainable development.

The EU works with partner countries to expand renewable energy, strengthen energy systems and support a just transition for communities. Industry and innovation and resilient infrastructure are essential for inclusive growth. The EU is investing in sustainable connectivity, digital transformation and support for micro, small and medium sized enterprise across all these areas. President SDG 17 reminds us that progress depends on how we collaborate across governments, the UN system, civil society, the private sector, academia and local communities. And while an important focus should be on what remains to be achieved by 2030, as we are off track, we should not forget what has been achieved and also commit to preserve that progress.

As one concrete example of strengthened partnership here in New York last year we launched EU SIDS informal dialogue focusing on the practical implementation of ABBAS Climate Action and Ocean governments. Looking ahead, the upcoming review of ECOSOC and the High Level Political Forum provides a timely opportunity to strengthen coordination, reduce fragmentation and elevate partnerships that deliver real results on the ground in line with unity. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of European Union. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Spain.

Muchas gracias, Senor Presidente. Thank you very much. President Excellencies, Dear colleagues, Spain aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union just now. Given the complex international reality at the moment, Spain advocates for firmly supporting an effective multilateral system with the United nations at the centre. We think it's fundamental that we have shared structures that allow us to face common challenges.

An example of our Support to the UN is support for multilateralism, presented at the 4th Financing for Development Conference. In this support for the multilateral system and for international cooperation in the area of development, ECOSOC within the UN system is a forum that has unequaled added value in terms of formulating economic, social and development policy. This function, bringing everything together, is essential in order to ensure the coherence of the United nations system and to align efforts with regard to common agendas. Spain, through our international development cooperation, supports and promotes all of the SDGs. Moreover, we believe it's fundamental that all parties involved be heard and work together to achieve these goals.

This is why we defend the local aspect of SDGs, that's to say, coordination with regional and local governments that are closest to the citizens that can understand their real needs when the various goals are being implemented, amongst other things. SDG 11 A good example of our local support for SDGs is that Bill bought since 2022 has hosted the Secretariat for the 2030 Secretariat, the main body that channels all of the local SDGs and the 2.0 model of the SDGS was recently launched and that helps us to localize all aspects of of a project from design to implementation. With regard to SDG 17. In conclusion, I'd highlight the holding of the fourth Financing for Development Conference that was held in Seville last summer and the outcome of that, as is well known, was the adoption of the Seville commitment and also 130 initiatives of the Seville Civil Action Platform in very specific areas. Thank you very much.

Thank the distinguished representative of Spain. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. May the blessings of Allah be upon you.

We are living through a time of developments towards sustainable development and we must focus on commitments on the identification of priorities so as to achieve our stated aims. In Saudi Arabia, we have adopted a practical approach that links planning to implementation as a fundamental tool, which inspires local policy and which promotes the monitoring and follow up that focuses on results. In this regard, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is going to present its review during 2026 as part of a strategic national approach which demonstrates the way in which we are turning ambitions into tangible results and shows how we are implementing change, the necessary change when it's necessary and when it's needed.

The practical results show that when priorities are not clearly identified, those results are far below our aspirations. However, when priorities are properly identified, that guides results in the right direction.

We have established a partnership network to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development related initiatives in order to transform partnerships into a tool for the implementation of our priorities. Focusing on goals 6, 7, 9 and 11 reflects the need to take integrated and complementary action through effective partnerships.

And this is something that is supported by harmonization between national priorities and international commitments. Our national experience demonstrates that progress towards sustainable development helps achieve the stated aims when that is rooted in clear priorities and needs. And that is what we intend to show through our review in 2026. Thank you.

China to be followed by safe water, NATO, Costa Rica, France and Jamaica.

Mr. President, China aligns itself with the statement by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China. In today's world development, gaps in digital divides continue to widen. Many countries are deeply marred in poverty, hunger, conflict and climate disasters. In the face of increasingly complex and severe global challenges, no one is immune and no one can cope alone. Upholding multilateralism and strengthening partnerships is the only right choice Unilateralism leads nowhere.

We must mobilize the efforts of all countries and sectors, unite under the banner of the UN PO great strengths and act with urgency in the remaining five years to jointly advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Development holds the master key to all problems. We must place development at the center of the UN and the international agenda, promote greater focus by UN 80 on development and engage in multilateral cooperation through extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. We should strengthen north south cooperation, deepen south south cooperation, uphold the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, enhance governance of emerging technologies such as AI and jointly foster a stable, open, inclusive and universally beneficial international development environment and and leave no one and no country behind. As the world's largest developing country, China has always placed its own development within the broader context of global development, working with all countries to chart development prospects and share development opportunities.

In 2021, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative at the unga, calling on the international community to work together to pursue more robust, greener and more balanced global development. For more than four years now, the GDI has attracted the participation of over 130 countries and international organizations, mobilized a total of over $23 billion in funding and carried out over 1,800 cooperation projects delivering fruitful results. China looks forward to engaging with all parties under the GDI framework to carry out exchanges and dialogue, stay open to good suggestions, strengthen practical cooperation and inject new momentum into enhancing global development partnerships and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. I thank you President.

I thank the distinguished representative of China. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Safe Water Network.

Very much. Distinguished delegates, I wish to begin by thanking His Excellency Ambassador Thapa. He's remained with us the full three hours. Not all ECOSOC Presidents do that. Thank you.

Good commitment to the Partnership Forum and also to the Bureau members and their efforts to steer ECOSOC 80 to elevate the actions of 2030 Agenda. It gives me pleasure to address you today in my capacity as an active member of the Global Water Operators Partnership alliance hosted by UN Habitat, of which I'm an active member and as the Chief Executive Officer of Safe Water Network, founded by Paul Newman in 2008, the organization is the third largest water provider in Ghana. It serves as a partner organization in the office of the Prime Minister in India and provides technical assistance to underserved communities in Africa and Asia. You may guess that I'm interested in SDG 6, but actually I'm interested in the heart of a 2030 agenda. And I'm concerned the status of STG attainment is worrisome.

Less than 20% of the targets have been detained. The climate crisis threatens our planetary ecosystem. Disasters rage, our collective appetite. As disasters rage, our collective appetite for humanitarian assistance wanes. And most importantly, the political consensus that created the SDG no longer exists.

So where do we go? Where do we move from this perspective? I think my simple message today is that we need to step back and reflect on what the SDGs have brought us, particularly its design elements. First and foremost, it has planetary reach. It's not just about the global South.

It concerns all countries. Global climate crisis as well as inequality are issues that face all countries. It builds on multi targeted impact. So when the SDGs are linked, it means that when you invest in one particular target, you're going to have byproducts. That same investment in SDG 6 could have spinoffs on 7, 9 and 11, the four SDGs that we're talking about here today.

Lastly, these conditions have created the basis for partnership collective action. Precisely because the SDGs are planetary and because their targets are linked, Agenda 2030 provides the basis for collective action. We see this in the actions of hundreds of stakeholders consolidated by the GA in 2023 with the UN Water Conference which will now be meeting again in December in UAE and recently this week with Senegal in their preparatory Commission meeting. I would conclude distinguished delegates by inviting you to join a collective action that we're spearheading together with the UN World bank, multiple countries to try to move forward on the SDGs through a campaign on safe water. This is co organized by Global Citizen 1, one of the most largest global advocacy organizations, together with Safe Water Network will mobilize $100 million for safe water for solutions that can attain and contribute to SDG61 in the spirit of partnerships, thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Safe Water Network. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Costa Rica.

Mr. President. Thank you. Costa Rica aligns with the statement by Uruguay on behalf of the group of 77 and China. Multi stakeholder partnerships constitute a fundamental mechanism for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Allow me to highlight three substantive elements.

First, we must promote partnerships that are oriented toward tangible, quantifiable and verifiable results. These partnerships require robust indicators, continuous monitoring systems and periodic evaluations to demonstrate their effective contribution to sustainable development. Costa Rica urges the coherent alignment of public policies, financial flows and international cooperation mechanisms in order to maximize collective impact. Second, partnerships must mobilise adequate predictable financing tailored to differentiated risk profiles. Public private partnerships facilitate access to innovative financial instruments, promote effective technology transfer and strengthen institutional capacities, particularly in middle income countries whose structural vulnerabilities are obscured by traditional per capita income indicators.

Third, effective partnerships require genuine inclusion and multi stakeholder participation. Mutual trust, transparency and management and the effective participation of governments, the private sector, civil society, local communities and international organizations ensure the success and sustainability of these initiatives. In Costa Rica, strategic partnerships among these actors have been decisive in advancing the SDGs. With regard to SDG 6, effective coordination among state institutions, rural communities, local governments and cooperation agencies has significantly expanded access to safe drinking water and strengthened water management. Mr. President, this year the High Level Political forum will review SDGs 6, 7, 9 and 11.

This thematic review offers a strategic opportunity to place multi stakeholder partnerships at the centre of implementation. Costa Rica issues a firm call to decisively strengthen these partnerships. Only through this collective effort will we be able to move toward resilient, inclusive and sustainable development. Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Costa Rica.

Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of France.

Mr. President, first of all, I want to align myself with a statement by the European Union and I would like to add the following points in our national capacity. Partnerships are at the heart of France's multilateral diplomacy, particularly when it comes to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. We are convinced that none of the major economic, environmental or technological challenges of our century can be resolved without the close involvement of economic actors, research actors or social actors in a partnership mindset. France puts this conviction in practice every time it takes the initiative for the sake of the prosperity of peoples and planet, and it has proven this specifically at the Summit on the Future of the artificial intelligence in February 2025 or in Nice in June 2025. France also sees partnerships in this Council.

In this way, Mr. President, France will bring the same energy to serve the Sustainable Development Goals that are being reviewed this year by the High Level Political Forum, in particular SDG 6 in the context of its co presidency of the Interactive Dialogue on Water Investment with a view to the upcoming United Nations Water Conference at the end of the year. France in this regard attaches particular importance to the Partnership Forum and welcomes the consultation held this year with stakeholders to strengthen it. The recommendations that will emerge from this forum should guide us when in a few weeks time we hold the ECOSOC Review and the hlpf. The call for this forum to be a meeting place between needs, innovative solutions and financing is something that is particularly welcome for us in this regard. Mr. President, international partnerships will at last be at the heart of France's G7 presidency.

In 2026, at a time when some solidarity and international solidarity are being questioned by some, France will mobilize to invent new partnership models that are based on responsibility and collective activity in New York and elsewhere. France will commit to this alongside all of those that share this view. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of France. Now I give the floor to the distinguished News representative of Jamaica, to be followed by armenia.

Thank you, Mr. President, Jamaica welcomes the convening of the 2026 ECOSTA Partnership Forum. Under your stewardship, we align with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China and Palau on behalf of EOSIS. From its inception, the 2030 Agenda recognized that the SDGs could not be achieved without a renewed global partnership for sustainable development, one rooted in solidarity, inclusiveness and a deliberate focus on the disadvantaged and most vulnerable. Now, 10 years into implementation, as we approach a full review of this framework, we can assess how partnerships have advanced SDG delivery and where they have fallen short, particularly for those in need. Mr. President, partnerships are central not only to SDG implementation but also to the strength of global governance.

Multilateralism is indispensable to a rules based system that enables the pursuit of sustainable development. Yet shifting governance dynamics, declining concessional finance and growing threats to multilateral cooperation pose acute challenges, particularly for sids. Jamaica, for example, continues to confront severe external shocks and climate related disasters. Hurricane Melissa, which struck our island last October, caused damages estimated at $8.8 billion, about 41% of our GDP, reversing hard won development gains. In this context, resilient systems and predictable financing are not optional, they are essential.

Through innovative partnerships, blended finance and multi stakeholder initiatives we are strengthening institutions institutions advancing renewable energy, building resilience and promoting inclusive growth. Despite progress, however, gaps persist. Disaster recovery financing remains inadequate, coordination among partners is fragmented and access to concessional finance continues to rely heavily on income based criteria that overlook vulnerability. As we prepare for the EcoStock and HLPF reviews, Jamaica therefore offers four recommendations. First, the full adoption of the MVI alongside income classification.

Second, dedicated and streamlined partnership support for sids. Next, rapid response partnership mechanisms with pre positioned financing for post disaster reconstruction and finally, strengthened partnership accountability through robust impact assessment frameworks. In closing, Jamaica stands ready to work with our partners as we collectively renew multilateral cooperation to deliver a sustainable future for all. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Jamaica. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative Armenia Armenia will be the last speaker in this segment.

Thank you, President. At the outset, let me express appreciation for convening the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum as we enter the final years of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The forum offers an important opportunity to reflect on how partnerships can accelerate progress while informing the discussions on the future of the ECOSOC and the hlpf.

Partnerships should serve as a practical instrument for translating global commitments into measurable impact. They must be grounded in country ownership, be result oriented and accountable, aligned with national priorities and development strategies, and supported by coherent policies and financing frameworks. As a landlocked middle income country, Armenia places particular emphasis on the need for differentiated and tailored approaches to cooperation. Developing countries, especially those in special situations and mics, continue to face structural constraints including limited economic diversification, reduced fiscal space and uneven access to technology, technology and markets. Partnership must be therefore designed to support resilience building, productive transformation and inclusive growth.

Delivering on these objectives requires predictable financing. This includes strengthened efforts to mobilize financing from all sources, including through engagement with the private sector and international financial institutions, the use of innovative financing mechanisms and the creation of enabling environment for sustainable investment. Finally, we must strive for more coherence across institutions and policy spaces. ECOSOC has a unique role in connecting global policy dialogue with implementation and fostering linkages among the UN system, IFIs, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Armenia therefore supports efforts to further strengthen ecosoc's coordinating role to avoid fragmentation, reduce duplication and maximize impact.

In conclusion, looking ahead, Armenia believes that the Partnership Forum should continue to serve as a practical platform for action, showcasing scalable solutions and informing ecosoc's substantive work throughout its cycle. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished Representative of Armenia, Excellencies, distinguished participants. Due to the high interest in the topic of the discussion and the time constraint, it was not possible to hear from all those wishing to intervene. I thank all the speakers for their insightful contribution to a very stimulating discussion.

Those delegations who have not been able to deliver the statement still can send their statement to the delegates. And now we are going to going to have the closing phase of the plenary session. I now invite the Assistant Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Navid Hanif, to deliver closing remarks. Hanif, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I wish to congratulate you and the Bureau on the successful launch of the Council's first meeting of the year. We conclude this forum with realism and with resolve and I wish to highlight just four key messages. I know it's late so, first, message is partnerships must deliver. Convening alone is not impact. Initiatives detached from local realities do not work.

Results come from demand driven partnerships co designed with communities and focused on concrete challenges. Second, accountability is crucial. There is little patience for vague pledges or for self reporting without evidence. Partnerships must be judged by outcomes, transparent governance and credible data. Without accountability, trust erodes, impact stalls.

Third, the partnership ecosystem is not fit for purpose. Fragmented policies persist, data systems remain weak. Financing is insufficient. Partnering capacities are uneven across governments, international organizations and stakeholders. Their constraints must be addressed if ambition is to translate into results.

Fourth, leaving no one behind is not happening at the required pace. Participants call for a clear shift towards engaging those left furthest behind, especially LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS and countries in special situations. Partnerships succeed only when solidarity moves from principle to practice. So together let us turn partnership into the progress the world urgently needs. Let me assure you DESA will continue to support its collective efforts.

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank the Assistant Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs. Excellencies, distinguished participants, we have reached the end of the 2026 Partnership Forum and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you for making the Forum a success. Let me now deliver my closing remarks. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues and friends, as we close the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum, I would like to thank you all for the excellent ideas and the bold commitments you have brought to our discussions.

Your contributions have made this forum a rich and meaningful exchange. You have highlighted the imperatives of the stronger partnership for multilateralisms and to achieve SDGs. As you know very well, that partnership is the DNA of ecosoc. Today's forum has once again proven ECOSOC role as a convening space where government, civil society, the private sector, youth and other stakeholders come together on equal footing. It's highlighted by most of you the value of this Partnership Forum lies not only in the diversity of the ideas we hold and we emphasize on, but also in how these insights can be carried forward through coherent, through collaborations and through the implementations.

On my part, I will aim to facilitate the Council upcoming work building on the spirit of today's discussions, so that we can catalyze ambitious partnerships that truly deliver better. Moreover, I would like to highlight the importance of creating stronger synergies across the Council processes and among the UN's principal organs. Excellencies, the perspective shared today will feed directly into tomorrow's coordination segment and serve as inputs to the work of the Council and its subsidiary bodies, including the hlpf. They will also inform the General Assembly's review of Ecosocial and high level political forum. As an immediate next step, I'll prepare, in consultation with the Bureau of the Council, a joint analytical summary capturing the key policy messages emerging from the Partnership Forum and coalition segment to sustain momentum.

I will also share an informal note reflecting my initial takeaways and highlighting issues for further considerations throughout the ECOSOC cycle. Distinguished Delegates, let me close by once again thanking all participants for your productive engagement. Allow me also to extend my special appreciation to the Department of Economic and Social affairs and to the Department of General assembly and Conference Management for their dedicated support. I wish you fruitful engagement in the ECOSOC meetings to calm Iron Hybrid journey. Safe journey home.

Thank you.