We are firmly committed to supportingthe work of ECOSOC as the UN’s key platform for implementingthe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,clearing our pathto recovery.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a historic testfor our generation. How we respondtoday, both individually and collectively, will greatly shape the world of generations to come.Croatia is pleased to have been able to co-coordinate,with Afghanistan, the resolutiononthe“Comprehensive and coordinated response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic”, which not only set the stagefor ourrecovery, but also for building back better.The resolution also recognizes the value of an integrated “One Health approach”.By better understanding the health relatedinterlinkages of humans, animalsand our ecosystem, we stand a better chance at tacklingantimicrobial resistance, as well as preventingand containinganother major zoonotic disease outbreak.I think we all share in the aspirationsofa comprehensive, multi-sectoral engagement instrengtheningnational, regional and global capacities, as well as society’s overall resilience to a future pandemic.

Establishing legal standards and assuring compliance is a fundamental part of an effective multilateral cooperative response. This is why Croatia activelyadvocatesthe“Pandemic Preparedness and Response Agreement”.

Let us maintain momentum and keep working towards amore robust architecture that will reinforce global health security. The World HealthOrganization playsa pivotal role,and therefore,its further development is essential

As an upcomingmember of ECOSOC (2022-2024), Croatia wants to fosterthe deliveranceof a strongermultilateral response to the pandemic, in the spirit of global solidarity and partnership. Safe and effective vaccines, as well as diagnostics and treatment, need to be made more easily accessible to all, in a timelyand sustainable way, and without discrimination.

But we cannot, we must notgive in.It is our responsibility, as global leaders, to tackle these false narrativeshead on;to win back the people’s trust; to give them hope.Multilateralism, global solidarity and international cooperation have little, if any,alternatives.It is asound way forwardfor rational beings. The United Nations standsonly to benefit from its cooperation withregional multilateral actors like,in a European context,the EU, the Council of Europe, the OSCEandNATO.

Violence,poverty and hunger are once again on the rise.Our post-pandemic recovery will be even more hard pressed inupending the world’s uneven economic development.Devastating natural disasters, especially due to severe weather patterns, are increasingly more difficult to deal with. And as our best scientific minds tell us, we can no longer afford to ignore how climate change is making natural hazards worse. Migration continues to rise,further fuelling discontent in its wake. All along, populists and disinformation campaigns,blatantlyormaliciously ignoring factual accounts,can unnervingly shake people’sconfidencein public authorities, in science and in the media.

Perhaps more than ever, it is important we continue to strengthen multilateralism and the internationalrules-based order,withthe United Nations playinga central role.

Hail andfrost will continue to ravage the vines in my country from time to time. Our world will continue to face crises in the future. Let us createthe means to face them together, in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity. Let's work to make the worldever better educated, more innovative, more resilient and more just.Let's be inspired by Saype’s land art,“World in ProgressII”, currently on display on the North Lawn. Let'stakeacuefromthetwochildrenbuildingtheworldastheyimagineit.And let us cultivate this world of ours,as Ihavelearned to tendmy vines.

Fifth, in a polarised world, it is more important than ever to return todialogue. Switzerland's International Geneva traditionally provides a neutral platform for discussion. Earlier this year, one of the events it hosted wasthe Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which resulted in the appointment of a Unified Executive Authority –a first for the country since 2014 –which is tasked with preparing national elections. Switzerland is very concerned about the plight of the Afghan population. It welcomes the humanitarian conference on Afghanistan convened by the Secretary-General last week in Geneva. Switzerlandis also working hardto promote international law, including humanitarian law, in order to avoid conflicts or reduce their effects. Switzerland is proud to have prepared its report on the implementation of international humanitarian law. I call on all UN member states to do the same. Such reports enable states to assesstheir good practices and the challenges to befaced

Fourth, let us take climate change seriously. As the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows, human activity can still determine the future course of climate. I will personally be present at COP26 in Glasgow to reaffirm Switzerland's commitment to the effective and consistentimplementation of the Paris climate agreement. At the national level, Switzerland is committedto achieveclimate neutrality by 2050. It is implementing concrete initiatives, such as infrastructure projects that promote the modal shiftfrom road to rail. I call on all countries to aim for climateneutrality by 2050 at the latest and to submit ambitious climate targets for 2030. Switzerland is also committed to the preservation of biodiversity.

Third, technological developmentsand digitalisation offer solutions to many of the challenges we collectively face. In Switzerland,there is close cooperationwith universitiesand the private sector to findinnovative technological approaches for developmentand poverty reduction projects. Yet there are risksinvolved.The virtual world is not a lawless zone. Inthe GeneralAssembly, Switzerland works to promoteresponsible state behaviour and the application of international law in cyberspace. It also participates in efforts to combat cybercrime. Geneva plays a role as a global centre for digital policy and networking forthe actors involved.

Second, the crisis has revealed the interdependence of our modern societies and the importance of international value chains, particularly inessential goods. We need to strengthen their resilience without resorting to protectionist measures that threaten global economic recovery. The legal framework for international trade must work to enhance legal certainty and predictability even in times of crisis. The World Trade Organization has a keyrole to play here.

First, in order to defeat the pandemic, we must ensure that vaccines areaccessible to everyone in theworld. Switzerland is committed to ensuring fairand affordable access to vaccines, treatments and diagnostics. Our countrycontributes to the Vaccine Alliance and supports the COVAX AMC initiative for low-and middle-income countries withUSD 155 million(CHF 145 million). As the host country of several international health organisations, including the World Health Organization, Switzerland provides resources and promotesreforms that enable effective action in this area.

Power rivalries are worseningand armed conflicts are raging on almost every continent. International humanitarian law and human rights are violated on a daily basis, and this sows the seeds of future conflicts

As the adverseweather and fires of recent months around the world have painfully reminded us, it is clear thatthe climate is being disrupted as a result of human activity, and human actionisalso putting pressure on the biodiversity of our planet.

Let us continue to defend rules-based multilateralism. Switzerland is committed to an effective and efficient United Nations and supports reforms aimed at improving conflict prevention, strengthening the UN development system and modernising management methods. Switzerland has much to contribute to the challenges facing the world. Twenty years after joining the United Nations, we are ready to contribute to the work of the UN Security Council for the 2023/24term.

For most of my professional life, I have been a winegrower. Winemaking has taught me patience, perseverance and confidence. A vine takes years to grow and produce. Improvinggrape varieties is a subtle science to producethe best wines. You have to respect nature and work in tune withit. Why am I talking to you about this here in the sanctuary of the United Nations?The COVID-19 pandemic is a bit like hail or frost that can suddenly ravage vines: unexpected and destabilising. Good winegrowers live with this risk and know how to recover from such twistsof fate. The pandemic is a human, social and economic catastrophethatisalso affectinginternational peace and security. Our thoughts are with all the victims, direct and indirect

When hail or frost strikes, Swiss winegrowers help each other, and they call on the insurance funds which they have paid into. When a crisis affects entire regions, or even the planet, solidarity must be global and solutions common. The UnitedNations is the place where knowledge and resources are pooled. The organisation itself arose fromlessonslearned from past crises.

We know the risks, we must be prepared for them and invest in prevention. We must provide ourselves with the means to achieve this. Research, education and vocational training, especiallyfor girls and women, must be at the hearttodevelop access to knowledge, promoteinnovation and enableaction. More broadly, access to knowledgeand skillsgives us the keys to anticipate and prepare for our future.

Too often we get carried away by short-term thinking and the prospect of rapid gain. We need to rediscover asense of anticipation and the awareness that fate may strike at any moment. What will happen next? Scientists work to identify future threats and alert us to them.They also provide us with information and data as elements of thesolution. The proper management of this data is of paramount importance. This is why Switzerland is proud to be hostingthe next UN World Data Forum in Bern in October