Welcome to the United Nations
Main messages – VNR 2023
· Poland reaffirms its commitment to the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that no one is left behind. Sustainable development in economic, social, and environmental dimensions should be fair and responsible.
· Interconnections and interactions between the SDGs are the key asset of the 2030 Agenda. Poland also reaffirms the need to create synergies of activities at the international level, including between foreign and security policy and the global consensus on sustainable development. This is especially needed due to threats to international development arising from conflicts, including the Russian attack on Ukraine, which has had major repercussions on food, finance and energy systems worldwide.
· In terms of the social dimension, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, public health considerations and patient safety remain a priority for Poland. Similarly, the development of new technologies in the health sector , such us digitalization of health services, is a new priority for Poland.
· The principle of “leaving no one behind” remains the guiding principle for Poland in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It is a long-term government policy to support poor and socially vulnerable groups.
· Poland attaches great importance to supporting the professional activation of women and men, including persons with disabilities, promoting employment of people aged 50+, counteracting age discrimination on the labour market, as well as further coordinating the social security system.
· Invariably, but now with particular emphasis, Poland underlines that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is a key factor in maintaining peace, and at the same time only peace will make it possible to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
· Strengthening international law as an element of the implementation of SDG 16 is the top priority since Poland’s membership in the UN Security Council in 2018-2019.
· Peace and democracy are prerequisites to achieve progress towards sustainable development. Poland spares no effort to oppose Russian aggression against Ukraine, which is also directed against democracy and the rules-based international order.
· In the face of the current geopolitical situation and the war against Ukraine, Poland's food security, as well as ensuring good quality and food safety, remain critically important.
· Poland is aware of the importance of climate-related challenges and is taking measures to reduce emissions in all sectors that emit greenhouse gases. These activities are accompanied by social policy measures to protect the most vulnerable social groups and people working in high-emission sectors from the effects of energy and climate policy.
· Poland is on the path to a low-carbon economy, mindful that it requires a fundamental restructuring of critical economic sectors and in these efforts is guided by the principle of leaving no one behind. Poland’s State Energy Policy 2040 (PEP2040) specifies three priorities: just transition for all citizens, a new, emission-free energy system based on RES and nuclear power, and improving air quality. This policy will be supplemented by the fourth pillar focused on ensuring Poland’s energy sovereignty/security due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the intention to cut off energy supplies from Russia.
· Financing for development is a key issue of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Despite the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic or the ongoing conflicts in Poland’s immediate neighbourhood, the state budget allows for the implementation of Poland’s social, development and investment policies, in accordance with the “Strategy for Responsible Development”. However, the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs requires not only the involvement of public funds, but above all the mobilization of private capital.
· Cooperation and building partnerships remain crucial for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Poland. We are focusing on enhancing the participation of numerous stakeholders from various backgrounds. Business is a key partner in achieving the SDGs.
· The full implementation of Agenda 2030 requires the transformation of the current model of public administration and civil service, in order to enhance its capacity to respond to various types of challenges and mobilize resources at all levels. To that aim, Poland is currently implementing the "Programme for developing the capacity of public administration to support the implementation of actions for the SDGs and sustainable development", together with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and with the support of the European Commission.
