Walking the Talk: Transformative Pathways for Achieving the SDGs; Launch of the UNRISD 2016 Flagship report

Ambassador Zellweger,
Mr. Ladd,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen:

Six years ago, when governments met in New York to review progress on the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) published a report that argued that global efforts to tackle poverty were being undermined by rapidly growing inequalities, both within and between countries.

That report strengthened the discussion on inequalities. And we now of course have the issue of inequality front and centre of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs – whether that is the growing inequality between elites and people living in poverty, or the inequalities we see between different groups because of gender, ethnicity, disability or sexuality or the inequalities between countries.

Research done by UNRISD on important and sometimes controversial issues such as care, the environment, or new forms of economic collaboration, have fueled not only debates and enhanced understanding, but also changes in policy and positions by governments. Small but influential, with deep roots also in the research networks of the Global South, UNRISD is a strong and progressive voice within social policy. The Institute is also an important member of our International Geneva family and adds tremendous value to our activities promoting peace, rights and well-being for all.

Today, coinciding with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, UNRISD is launching its new report: Policy Innovations for Transformative Change. The report provides important insights into the question: “How can we make the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development live up to its transformational potential?” The report highlights policy innovations that many governments and others, often in the Global South, are already taking into account when addressing the challenge of sustainability. It argues that transformation requires attacking the root causes of problems rather than just the symptoms, working truly across silos in an integrated way, and forging inclusive political processes and new partnerships. I fully expect this report to be as influential as its predecessors.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We live in a world facing many overlapping challenges, and yet also a world still recovering from the financial crisis. At times like these it is easy to squeeze the money going into research, to think that we already have the answers. And yet, the complexity of the 2030 Agenda certainly shows us that we do not have many of the answers yet; or whether indeed a policy that works in one country will work well in another. Research is an important cornerstone of an effective response to our contemporary challenges, and UNRISD has shown consistently over time that its research is insightful, relevant, and of high quality.

I commend this report to you, and hope it will lead you to explore how UNRISD can support you in your own roles, whether in governments, civil society, or the academic community.

I thank you and I wish you an excellent event.