Archbishop Caccia delivers statement at the High-Level Political Forum debate on Accelerating SDG Achievement in African Countries, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Development Countries, and Middle-Income Countries

By H. E. Archbishop Gabriele CacciaApostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations

15 July 2025

Mr. President,

My Delegation welcomes this discussion on accelerating the achievement of the SDGs in African countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). Despite long-standing global commitments and some progress, these countries continue to face systemic challenges that hinder their achievement of the SDGs.

Chief among these challenges is the persistent and widespread reality of poverty. This continues to afflict millions of people, denying them material wellbeing and undermining their God-given dignity, while stifling their integral human development.

In this regard, my Delegation reaffirms that poverty must remain the central and urgent priority of the international community. Poverty eradication is not merely an economic exercise; it is a moral imperative.

Mr. President,

Efforts to eradicate poverty are undermined by the unbearable burden of repaying sovereign debts. It is impossible to eradicate poverty when 3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on healthcare and education combined. Providing debt relief is not an act of generosity, but a necessary step towards creating the fiscal space countries need in order to invest in integral development.

Accordingly, my Delegation calls for immediate debt relief, including cancellation and debt restructuring, as well as access to concessional financing especially for those African countries, LDCs and LLDCs whose debt is at unsustainable levels.

Mr. President,

With just five years to go until 2030, the international community must renew its commitment made in the 2030 Agenda “to eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, [which] is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.”[1] This requires solidarity and shared responsibly, as well as concrete action to protect the God-given human dignity of each person, while promoting their integral human development.

Thank you.

[1] A/RES/70/1 - Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.