The President of the UN General Assembly on Thursday underscored the critical need for resilient infrastructure if the world is the reach the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the 2030 deadline.
In a special meeting dedicated to building resilience and promoting sustainable development through infrastructure connectivity, Dennis Francis emphasized the importance of quality and endurance.
“Quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure – including regional and transborder infrastructure – is important to sustain trade and commerce, facilitate effective transportation, connect us to virtual grids, maintain energy flows, and make populations safer against natural hazards,” he said.
Highlighting recent shocking failures such as the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, Mr. Francis pointed out the extensive economic impact of such disasters, affecting national and global supply chains.
He stressed the urgency of adapting transport infrastructure to withstand both human-induced and natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change.
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Special cases
In particular, he cited the impacts on countries grappling through no fault of their own, with acute challenges – the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and the small island developing States (SIDS).
They are faced with unique geographical and economic conditions, which make them particularly vulnerable to infrastructure damage from natural hazards.
“The SIDS, in particular, often confront more intense and frequent natural hazards – making their infrastructure susceptible to damage and destruction. In some instances, the annual cost of damage amounting to almost 10 percent of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP),” Mr. Francis said.
In his address, the Assembly President also cited the opportunities presented by the upcoming fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) and third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3).
LLDC3 was due to take place in June but will now be rescheduled to a later date, organizers said on Thursday.
“There is an increasing urgency to reflect on and indeed to address these regional and global challenges,” he said.
Assembly’s sustainability week
The high-level event on sustainable infrastructure, part of the General Assembly’s first ever Sustainability Week, followed Monday’s deliberations on debt sustainability, sustainable tourism on Tuesday and transport on Wednesday.
On Friday, the General Assembly will mark the completion of the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All. Discussions will focus on efforts to further accelerate the implementation of SDG 7 on affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
Lila Montgomery is a celebrated journalist who has a deep commitment to global affairs and humanitarian issues. Her extensive reporting on United Nations initiatives across the globe has brought critical stories to the forefront, stories that affect communities everywhere.
The President of the UN General Assembly is right in emphasizing the critical need for resilient infrastructure to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure is essential for trade, transportation, energy flows, and safety against natural disasters. Mr. Francis’ call for massive investment in infrastructure to prevent economic impacts of disasters like the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse is urgent, especially in the face of climate change challenges.
Quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure is crucial to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Dennis Francis pointed out the importance of infrastructure connectivity in promoting trade, transportation efficiency, energy stability, and disaster resilience. It’s evident that adapting transport systems to withstand climate change impacts is an urgent priority for global prosperity.
Resilient infrastructure is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We must invest in quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure to ensure trade, commerce, and transportation are effective and connect us globally. Recent failures like the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge highlight the economic impact of disasters. It’s urgent to adapt infrastructure to withstand climate-related threats.
Emily Young believes that sustainable infrastructure is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. She emphasizes the importance of quality and endurance in infrastructure to support trade, transportation, energy, and safety. Emily agrees with Dennis Francis on the urgent need to adapt infrastructure for resilience against disasters, both human-induced and natural.
How can we ensure that massive investment in sustainable infrastructure will truly lead to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030?
Investing in eco-friendly infrastructure is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We must prioritize resilient and sustainable infrastructure to support trade, transportation, energy, and disaster preparedness. The recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge highlights the economic consequences of infrastructure failures. It’s essential to adapt infrastructure to withstand climate change impacts.
Investing in eco-friendly infrastructure is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We need to prioritize quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to ensure safer and more connected communities. Dennis Francis makes a strong case for the urgent adaptation of transportation infrastructure to withstand the challenges posed by natural disasters and climate change.
Do you think investing in eco-friendly infrastructure is the key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030?
Does resilient infrastructure really play a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030?
Investing in eco-friendly infrastructure is imperative for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Dennis Francis rightly emphasizes the necessity of resilient infrastructure to support trade, transportation, energy, and safety. We must act urgently to adapt to climate challenges and prevent economic disruptions like the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.