In his statement, Archbishop Auza highlighted the ethical basis for development, and said members of religious communities and faith-based organizations who work on the ground to promote peace, provide healthcare, uphold the dignity of women, care for the environment, alleviate poverty, and serve as the leaven for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He called for religious leaders to partner with one another, as well as the international community, to implement the SDGs with the human person at the center.