The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
UNOPS champions quality infrastructure through the G20 Summit
In the lead-up to the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, UNOPS has been advising the G20 Development Working Group on quality infrastructure – one of several focus areas of the 2019 forum.
“We know that over 90 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goal targets can only be achieved with high-quality infrastructure,” said UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo.
“Infrastructure can influence development far into the future – both positively and negatively – so we must build well. If we get it wrong, infrastructure can perpetuate inequalities for decades and stifle growth and opportunities,” she said.
UNOPS has worked with the government of Japan and the European Union to help define the G20 position on quality infrastructure. Drawing on its expertise implementing sustainable and resilient infrastructure around the world, UNOPS stressed the critical role quality infrastructure will play in achieving the 2030 Agenda – including meeting targets for gender equality and inclusive growth.
As part of its input, UNOPS also presented key infrastructure development concepts, such as its Evidence-Based Infrastructure initiative.
UNOPS is currently working with a range of government partners to develop a better overview of how their infrastructure planning, delivery and management practices compare to recognized global best practice, and how these could be improved. By developing custom infrastructure roadmaps, this initiative helps guide authorities to manage risks to resilience and sustainability, including climate change.
We believe the evidence-based approach to infrastructure, guided by internationally recognized standards, can be of significant value for least developed countries, and those uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, such as Small Island Developing States.”
The G20 Development Working Group has finalized the report ‘Key elements of quality infrastructure for connectivity enhancement towards sustainable development.‘ This will help inform the G20 outcome report developed by the Infrastructure Working Group.
Formally known as the ‘Summit on financial markets and the world economy,’ the G20 Summit will be held 28-29 June. Participants include the leaders from 19 countries and the European Union, representing more than 80 per cent of global gross domestic product. In recent years, G20 Summits have focused on a range of issues affecting the global economy, including development, climate change, energy and health.
