High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
“From the SDG Summit to the Summit of the Future”
Statement delivered by H.E. Minna-Liina Lind, Deputy Minister for Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
15 July 2024, New York
Dear President, dear colleagues,
As we transition from the SDG Summit to the Summit of the Future, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. The Sustainable Development Goals are not merely aspirations; they are our collective roadmap to a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world. Despite the progress made, global challenges such as climate change, rising inequality, and increasing conflicts threaten to reverse decades of international efforts.
Without peace, all our goals, including eradicating hunger and poverty, cannot be achieved. Alarmingly, food has become a weapon and a propaganda tool in the hands of some. Let me reiterate—the increase in global food insecurity is a direct result of Russia launching a war of aggression against Ukraine—and not subsequent EU policies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Climate action is paramount to our future. Estonia is committed to ambitious climate policies aligned with the Paris Agreement, aiming for 100% renewable electricity by 2030, 71% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, and climate neutrality by 2050. Yet, mitigating climate change is a global effort, and mobilising climate finance demands collective action as well as partnerships among governments, civil society, and the private sector. Estonia contributes approximately 1.5 million euros annually to climate finance, supporting the UN Green Climate Fund and the new Loss & Damage Climate Impact Response Fund. By 2027, our contributions will grow by 7% annually. Estonia is also the proud birthplace of World Cleanup Day, now the largest civic environmental initiative globally, raising awareness about pollution and waste management.
In Estonia, the SDGs are woven into our daily policy decisions and form the core of our long-term strategy, “Estonia 2035.” It aims to create a resilient and sustainable nation, leveraging science and innovation to ensure no one is left behind. In addition, Estonia is a long-standing development partner to countries across the world in achieving the SDGs.
Digitalisation has helped address many of our challenges, revolutionising state functions, creating economic opportunities, and improving the quality of life for our people. This quality is based on the values-based ecosystem – we continue to defend an open, free, secure and inclusive Internet and contribute to eliminating digital divide by sharing our e-governance expertise globally, through initiatives like the UN Digital Public Goods Alliance and GovStack. A springboard for bridging digital divides will be an ambitious Global Digital Compact. As co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition and next chair of the Freedom Online Coalition, Estonia works to ensure fundamental rights, transparency, and accountability remain at the core of digital governance.
As we prepare for the Summit of the Future, we cannot do without addressing the structural shortcomings of the current multilateral order, enhancing its efficiency to respond to today’s world and needs. In an unprecedented situation where a permanent member of the Security Council attacks its sovereign neighbour and exploits the veto power to evade accountability, it is high time we advance with the long called for Security Council reform, making it more representative and accountable to the UN membership and the Charter. We should also re-examine the mechanisms available for the General Assembly to step up to the task.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we look towards the Summit of the Future, we must seize the opportunity to reset and recommit to our shared goals, and continue striving for a more just, resilient, and sustainable world.
Thank you.