Thematic Review of SDG implementation: SDG 1, Tuesday 11 July, HLPF

Excellency,

Distinguished guests,

Colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

To achieve SDG 1, it is essential to tackle the root causes of poverty, reduce inequalities and ensure inclusive growth.

 

Hunger and poverty are closely interlinked.

 

If we want to reduce poverty, we need holistic approaches to rural transformation, as nearly 80 percent of the extreme poor live in rural areas.

 

In most low and low-middle income countries, agriculture is the largest employer of the poor through smallholder production, and often the main source of income.

 

Investing in agriculture and sustainable food systems has great potential to reduce poverty.

 

Inclusive growth and transformation requires addressing the structural constraints faced by small holder producers, increasing their access to productive resources, providing social protection and safety nets as well as making their voices heard. Investing in rural actors, in particular rural women and youth, is also contributing to sustainable development and the realization of the SDGs.

 

To achieve SDG1, we must collectively:

a)  Ensure access to productive resources, markets and services as well as the transfer of technology and innovations between north and south and strengthen south-south and triangular cooperation;

b) Empower the poor and strengthen rural organizations;

c)  improve opportunities for decent employment; and

d) Make social protection accessible to all and create linkages with nutrition, agriculture and natural resource management.

 

Thank you for your attention.