Australia believes social development is the foundation of peace, prosperity and stability.
While all Member States must do more to tackle social challenges, the need is particularly pressing in situations of conflict.
The escalating crises in Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Ukraine. The ongoing persecution and displacement of the Rohingya people.
Across these crises, hard-won gains on social development are being reversed.
People are being deprived of access to education and livelihoods. And Australia believes no one should be left behind.
We are deeply committed to the 2030 Agenda and advancing human rights, gender equality and disability equality.
We bring this conviction to our partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, working through the UN and with regional partners to lift people up to promote inclusion and ensure dignity and opportunity for all.
Our investments are reducing poverty and building robust social protection systems to expand access to education, healthcare and decent work.
These are investments in human potential, social cohesion, sustainable development and a better future for all.
At a time of global instability and uncertainty, Australia is a steadfast and reliable partner.
While some other donors are reducing their development budgets, we have made the decision to increase ours.
Because Australia understands that we all have to play our part to support social development, and ultimately, we all benefit from each other's stability and prosperity.
Through our social protection programs in the Pacific, Australia is contributing to country-led efforts to strengthen systems to reduce poverty.
We are helping to expand access to assistive technologies across the Indo-Pacific, helping children with disabilities to engage in education.
These are just a few of the many examples of programs we proudly support.
Because whole societies benefit from uplifts in economic and civic participation.
Australia is deepening partnerships with the Pacific family to better understand and work together to address the challenges facing small island developing states.
Which is why we are advocating for fairer measures of vulnerability, including in ODA graduation criteria and adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.
When development is values-aligned and locally led, societies are afforded the best opportunity for lasting peace and prosperity.