General Debate of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2025
Statement delivered by Ms. Evaliis Läll, Youth Delegate of Estonia to the United Nations
New York, 22 July 2025
Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
As we are approaching the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations, we recognize that progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is off track. Economic, social, climate and environmental challenges, amplified by multiple conflicts, notably Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, are among the greatest obstacles to achieving the SDGs.
Estonia continues to be a vocal advocate for the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, especially the SDG 3 – good health and well-being for everyone. We need to collectively strengthen resilient health systems everywhere in the world. Global solidarity is needed! Estonia is trying to do its part by sharing our knowledge in the field of digital health solutions, such as our e-health records, e-prescription, e-ambulance. We also need to collectively promote healthy lifestyles to prevent non-communicable diseases and promote mental health, including through encouraging reduced alcohol consumption. Finally, indiscriminate attacks on health infrastructures in different conflicts around the world have to stop! These attacks always hit the most vulnerable, especially the children – this has to stop!
Empowering women and girls is another priority to Estonia. Advancing gender equality entails guaranteeing equal access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. According to the UNICEF, only 49 per cent of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education, not mentioning the lower and upper secondary education. Estonia’s experience confirms that investing in girls’ education and, especially girls’ digital skills, benefits society and economy alike and empowers women to be self-sufficient. This is even more essential now with AI. Estonia believes that equipping youth with the skills to use AI wisely and responsibly, equips them for the future job market. Hence why we have launched a new AI Leap programme that brings practical AI tools to every school, empowering students and teachers to harness technology creatively.
Ladies and gentlemen,
My country remains a reliable partner and donor, sharing our expertise in education and digital transformation, believing we can help others to chart their own development paths catering for their specific context and priorities, to move towards building resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking societies.
To conclude, I thank you for listening to my youth voice. Let’s us move forward united, as only together can we reach a truly sustainable and equitable future.
Thank you.