We are pleased to join the OECD in recognizing that cooperation between the United Nations and international organizations such as the OECD can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals. We share the OECD’s commitment to effective international cooperation and reinvigorated multilateralism in the global response to a fragile and highly uncertain global socioeconomic outlook.
The COVID-19 pandemic, protracted conflicts, growing fragility, a resurgence of authoritarianism, and climate shocks have threatened people’s lives and livelihoods and global stability. Russia’s brutal and unjustified war against Ukraine has only aggravated these threats, contributing to a surge in food and energy prices, exacerbating poverty and eroding food security worldwide. As the Secretary General unequivocally stated, Russia’s war will “prolong the dramatic impacts on the global economy, especially in developing countries, and hinder our ability to deliver life-saving aid.” We understand “geopolitical tensions and conflicts” referenced in the UN-OECD cooperation resolution to refer specifically to Russia’s war against Ukraine that has unraveled years of progress on the sustainable development goals and impacted stability everywhere. The United States remains firmly committed to working with fellow OECD members to confront these transnational threats to peace and prosperity and get back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
