“Sustainable and resilient development can’t be achieved without investing in children!” – SRSG Maalla M’jid joins ECOSOC High-level Segment on Strengthening UN System Institutions for Resilient Sustainable Development

New York, 20 July 2023 – SRSG Maalla M’jid joined high-level representatives of regional organizations, Governments, UN experts and civil society representatives in a lively discussion on Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.

In her remarks, Dr. Maalla M’jid reflected on lessons learned from the pandemic particularly those related to UN response and recovery efforts, based on the work of her mandate. 

“Sustainable and resilient development can’t be achieved without investing in children! The protection of children cuts across all 17 SDGs and all sectors, given the intersectoral nature of violence against children and the intersectionality with gender-based violence. We have evidence that investment in integrated cross-sectoral violence prevention and protection services makes economic sense and can secure a large long-term dividend.” said the Special Representative.

SRSG Maalla M’jid called for enhancing the role of UN country teams to strengthen national and local capacities and systems, switching from siloed approaches to a people-centred development, starting in early childhood and through a life cycle approach.  

The Special Representative recalled the urgent need to rethink multilateralism and cooperation. It is essential to move from donor-driven and unsustainable  approaches  to context specific, results-oriented, and mutual partnerships that foster south-south, north-south, and triangular cooperation.