Video Message
Beijing, China
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
It is an honour to join you for the 5th International Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals.
On behalf of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, I extend my deep gratitude to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals. Your leadership in harnessing science and innovation for advancing the 2030 Agenda is crucial and highly appreciated, and we thank you for convening this important gathering once again.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the SDGs. The United Nations Secretary-General shared a clear message: despite pockets of progress, we face a global development emergency. Alarming reversals threaten our shared goals, and business as usual is not an option. This moment demands the very solutions that will be discussed in this Forum¡ªinnovative and transformative actions, driven by digital technology¡ªthat can help us pivot from assessment to achievement.
At the heart of this transformation is partnership. I am especially proud of the strategic partnership between UN DESA and CBAS, formalized through our cooperation agreement last November.
Through this partnership, we are building a framework that will strengthen the science-policy interface and turn vast data into actionable intelligence for effective decision-making. This effort brings to the fore our shared commitment to use geospatial science and big data to speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Our recent joint capacity-building programmes, including the DESA-CBAS Workshop convened in Beijing just days ago, focused on enhancing data and analytical capabilities of Small Island Developing States. These efforts are key to supporting the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS and the Pact for the Future.
Our collaboration is part of a broader ecosystem for data innovation. We see immense potential in fostering closer integration with these distinct, yet complementary, centers of excellence here in China:
? First, the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals in Beijing, a leading force in harnessing big data for the SDGs.
? Second, the UN Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre in Deqing, expanding geospatial capacity worldwide, especially for developing countries.
? And third, the Global Hub on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics in Hangzhou, a key pillar of a global programme on the use of emerging data sources, methods, and technologies in official statistics.
By connecting the statistical, geospatial, and scientific communities through these hubs, we are unleashing the collaborative potential needed to solve the world's most complex challenges. This is how we reaffirm our commitment to science and data as a global public good for the benefit of everyone.
Your work here is crucial. I urge you to challenge conventional thinking, forge new collaborations, and turn discussion into action. Let us make this forum a catalyst for the transformative actions we need to achieve the SDGs and build a more sustainable, equitable future for all.
Thank you.