UN’s deputy secretary-general, Amina Mohammed, has emphasised the critical role world leaders could play in driving innovation and change as world leaders gather at the UN for the Summit of the Future and General Assembly High-Level Week.

Mohammed said solutions were needed as leaders gather during times of mounting crises and debt burdens in the Global South.

“You are called to provide solutions to people affected by climate chaos and the spectre of conflict and insecurity that ranges from full-blown war in your communities to violent extremism, crime or violence against women,” Ms Mohammed said.

With the deadline for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaching in 2023,  Mohammed warned that leaders are essential to getting progress “back on track.”

“We need your energy, initiatives and ideas more than ever to make the sustainable development goals real in people’s lives,” the UN deputy chief said.

She further stressed the need for leaders at a local level, including mayors, since 70 per cent of the world’s population is expected to live in cities by 2050.

Ms Mohammed also noted that local leadership currently assists in driving transformative change by tackling the climate crisis, improving access to affordable energy and fostering more equitable communities, among other ways.

“We are seeing the dividends of your determination in breakthroughs to challenges once considered intractable,” Ms Mohammed said.

She added, “There is still much to be done.”

Ms Mohammed urged urban leaders to continue the work that has contributed to global success while insisting on the need for more equitable and accessible service systems and increased climate solutions for cities.

She said, “We need an empowered local democracy with peace at its core, and we need more resilient communities with early warning systems for disaster prevention.”

Ms Mohammed also called for leaders’ amplified ambition in achieving the SDGs to “deliver a world that is more prosperous, equal and sustainable for everyone, everywhere.” 

(NAN)