UN Secretary-General António Guterres

CEO and Executive Director of UN Global Compact Sandra Ojiambo

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a pleasure to join you at the 2021 UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit. Sustainable development is a global challenge but one which no country can afford to ignore. Sustainable  development allows countries to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Today’s Summit is a timely and important event. It has been six years since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda. This year’s theme – “Elevating Ambition for Collective Action” – highlights two pertinent issues in achieving this vision: the need to focus on our ambition and to take action together as a global community, so that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can continue to serve as a global blueprint to support the vulnerable, protect the planet, and build a more prosperous world.

We are now at a critical crossroad.

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened to reverse decades of developmental gains. More than 110 million people have been pushed into extreme poverty, of whom more than half are women and girls. 205 million people are expected to be unemployed in 2022. Many countries are also grappling with climate change.

At the same time, the pandemic offers us a unique opportunity to rethink the future, and forge new pathways towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth. With greater awareness on the importance of balanced and integrated development, the global momentum on building sustainable economies has gathered pace in recent years. More countries are now including green initiatives in their post-pandemic recovery plans. Governments are making a concerted effort to integrate environmental and social priorities into their economic plans, and I hope that this will carry on beyond the pandemic.

For Singapore, a low-lying city-state with limited natural resources, sustainability has always been an integral part of our development journey. Earlier this year, we launched the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a roadmap to achieve sustainable development and meet our nation’s net zero emissions aspirations. The Green Plan will strengthen Singapore’s resilience and bring new opportunities in the green economy, cutting across all sectors including infrastructure, clean energy, and research and innovation.

An important feature of the Singapore Green Plan is that it is a Whole-of-Nation project. Similar to how the 2030 Agenda cannot be achieved by governments alone, the Green Plan recognises the importance of all stakeholders working together to implement the SDGs. The private sector, in particular, plays a critical role in bringing the necessary capital and talent to support the implementation of the Green Plan. In this regard, I would like to commend the pivotal role of the UN Global Compact in mobilising businesses to adopt sustainable practices and align their strategies with the SDGs. In particular, we welcome the Global Compact’s new Strategy for 2021 to 2023 to scale up the contributions of the global business community to the 2030 Agenda.

Indeed, helping companies and workers transition to the green economy will be key to how they, being a major player in the ecosystem, can play a role in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Let me therefore share three strategies that Singapore is adopting in this area.

First, Singapore is re-gearing our key sectors to become more energy and carbon-efficient. For example, we are working to transform our energy and chemicals hub, Jurong Island, into a sustainable manufacturing park by 2030. Our vision is for Jurong Island to be a model for the adoption of new sustainability solutions that improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

Second, as a financial hub, Singapore is supporting green financing through grants for green and sustainable bonds and loans. This will enable companies to invest in green assets and projects, and move towards more sustainable business models.

Third, Singapore will be growing new sectors in the green economy. We want to be a leading carbon services hub, and a marketplace for high-quality carbon offsets. We will also step up our investment in research, innovation, and enterprise in the coming years, as well as support the development and commercialisation of innovative solutions in areas including clean and renewable energy, the circular economy, and low-carbon hydrogen.

With these strategies, we hope that businesses will see sustainability as a key competitive advantage and new opportunities for growth and job creation.

2021 is a critical year. We have less than 10 years to implement the 2030 Agenda and to fulfil its promise of “Leaving No One Behind”. The reality is that even before the pandemic, we were not on track to realise most of the SDGs. As we enter this “Decade of Action and Delivery”, we must act urgently and mobilise political will, in order to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future. I hope this Summit will do just that, by raising ambition, prompting action, and delivering results.

Singapore will continue to fully support the efforts of the UN Global Compact and its local chapters, including the Global Compact Network Singapore. For a small island state, sustainability issues are not just aspirational goals, but also existential challenges. Now more than ever, countries, businesses and people will need to work together to build a better future for everyone. So let us elevate our ambition and take collective action, as we rededicate our commitment to achieving sustainable development for all.

Thank you.