This Monday, the President of the Republic said that more global funding is needed to achieve the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations and that we must make up for lost time on this issue.
“We must act, we must guarantee more results and speed,” Marcelo Rebelo de Souza said at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit at United Nations headquarters in New York.
In a three-minute speech in Portuguese, the head of state noted that “much has already been wasted, too much time” in achieving the 17 goals set in the so-called 2030 Agenda.
Eradicating poverty and hunger, reducing inequality, clean and affordable energy, and action to combat climate change are just a few of the 17 goals.
“We support Portugal hosting a successful global social summit with visible results,” said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The head of state expressed support for the “early warning” given by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the issue, adding: “We believe that increasing global financing is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“We have moved forward with a pilot project with Cape Verde that could be replicated in other countries, especially in Africa, to convert public debt into investment in a climate and environment fund,” he said.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived in New York on Sunday evening to attend the 78th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.