Thank you, Mr. President,

Since the launch of the Millennium Development Goals, our family of nations has made tremendous strides in building a better world for men, women and children everywhere. Together, we set out to accomplish what the United Nations was established to do - improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

While the achievements of the MDGs have been impressive, they are far from perfect. Our experience over the last 15 years has highlighted some of the risks of not integrating human rights, equality and accountability into our development policies and practices. We have learned that if we do not put the focus on empowering individuals, our development strategies will not be nearly as powerful as they can be.

There are high expectations that the Post-2015 Development Agenda will be ambitious and highly transformative. But in order to meet these expectations, it is clear that there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift. We need to think differently, talk differently, and act differently. Our world is changing at a rapid pace. Today's technology has allowed hundreds of thousands of voices to be a part of this conversation. It is time to listen to those voices, and to heed their call.

Mr. President,

The central relevance of human rights and the rule of law for poverty eradication and sustainable development cannot be overstated. Our future framework must be firmly rooted in equality, inclusiveness, and accountability.  It must recognize that realizing the rights of all people - women and men, young and old, rich and poor - is the hallmark of prosperous and sustainable societies.

Israel strongly believes that building a sustainable world depends on gender equality and women's empowerment. Women and girls around the world continue to face profound inequalities in every area of life, in every country, and in both public and private spheres. We must create an alternative reality, one in which women and girls can participate on an equal footing with men and boys in their economies, communities and families..

The evidence is overwhelming that gender equality and women’s effective empowerment is inextricably linked to promoting women’s human rights, including their sexual and reproductive rights.

Mr. President,

There is no question that the real litmus test of the international community as we define our future framework will be our ability to ensure universal human rights and the life of dignity for all. All means everyone and everywhere, with a particular emphasis on those who are especially vulnerable to discrimination and violence. We cannot let any aspect of a person's identity - whether race, religion, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity - be grounds for any type of discrimination. And as the CRPD convenes in the next room, I should highlight the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities are appropriately reflected in the new agenda.  

Unfortunately, in too many countries, men and women are jailed and even killed because of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Some governments are still reluctant to speak about sexual orientation and gender identity, on the basis that these issues are too controversial.

If we are truly serious about "leaving no one behind" -  we need to stand up for the human rights of all people, no matter who they are, where they live or who they love.  And we must go beyond simply fighting for these rights. It is time to fully and unequivocally implement them.

Mr. President,

If we truly want to build transformative agenda, we must provide every individual with the tools to be agents of their own destiny. Incorporating the rule of law in our future development framework will be critical to uphold the human rights of all people, and ensure that their voices are heard. Effective, accountable institutions and good governance are essential underpinnings of sustainable development, and this is true for any country, no matter where it stands on the development spectrum.

We know however that laws by themselves are not enough to establish the rule of law. Laws are not always used to protect and defend citizens, but rather to discriminate against them.

Equality, accountability and respect for human rights must be integral parts of the rule of law. And strengthening the rule of law must be accompanied by promoting effective, responsive, accessible and fair justice systems that enable the poor and marginalized groups to have their voices heard, to exercise their rights, and to access basic services.

Mr. President,

As an international community, we are faced with an enormous responsibility. In the coming year, we will face tough choices and make big decisions. We will be intensely engaged in a political process of forging consensus around priorities, building on the lessons from the MDGs, while striving to formulate a bolder, more ambitious agenda to tackle universal challenges. We will discuss, we will debate, and we will disagree.

But there is one core understanding that remains undisputed in these halls, and that is the importance of putting people at the centre of our efforts. We all understand that they are the agents that will translate our political commitments into every day realities.

Global citizens are more connected and tuned in to what their leaders will achieve at the UN than ever before - and they have high hopes and high expectations. The people of this world should be our starting point, our motivation, and our inspiration to work together to make this world better for all - where not a single person is left behind and where every human can live with dignity.
 
Thank you, Mr. President.