Crown Princess Victoria participated in the digital launch of the United Nations’ Human Development Report 2020, recording a message as the agency launched its latest development report.
In a speech from the palace, the Crown Princess applauded how the report, a product of the UN Development Programme, has “broaden[ed] our understanding of human progress.”
Crown Princess Victoria continued: “It has taught us that development is about so much more than economic growth – it is about opportunity, agency and realising the potential of every human being.
“And over those three decades, incredible progress has been made across the world – on education, health, life expectancy and more.
“However, we are now putting this progress at risk – with our own actions. Climate change, pollution, loss of biodiversity… From the deepest ocean to the highest mountain, there isn’t a single corner of the planet that is unaffected by us humans.
“The good news is that it is not yet too late to address these challenges. And, as this report shows, human development is a key part of the solution.”
This year’s Human Development Report marks the 30th anniversary of the report, with the UNDP writing that it “doubles down on the belief that people’s agency and empowerment can bring about the action we need if we are to live in balance with the planet in a fairer world. It shows that we are at an unprecedented moment in history, in which human activity has become a dominant force shaping the planet.”
The report also includes an updated Human Development Index, which measures indicators as a way to measure each country’s prosperity. Sweden placed sixth in this new index and seventh in the original index.
Crown Princess Victoria also spoke of how the coronavirus has impacted development this year. “In a very short time, people all over the world have changed the way they work, communicate and do business. Massive resources have been allocated to fighting the pandemic.
“And thanks to scientific collaboration, on a scale never seen before, we now have better tests, better treatments, and vaccines that will hopefully prove to be effective. It seems that the old saying is true: ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’”
Crown Princess Victoria joined Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, the UNDP Supreme Leader Achim Steiner, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and Prime Minister Peter Eriksson in Tuesday’s launch.
