Embed the essence of 2030 Agenda into everything
¡®Embed the essence of 2030
Agenda into everything,¡¯ UN chief urges at close of Global Goals forum
As the eight-day High Level Political
Forum on Sustainable Development ()
drew to a close on 18 July, the United Nations chief called on everyone to
support the for Sustainable Development for ¡°prosperity and peace on
a healthy planet.¡±
¡°We need to embed the essence of the 2030 Agenda into everything
that we do,¡± said Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres.
The UN chief stated
that the Forum has been a time to recommit to the 2030 Agenda, assess where we
are and what needs to be done ahead. At the HLPF, More than a thousand
government, business and civil society leaders have been taking stock of
progress made towards meeting the 2030 Global Goals, and what help countries
need to accelerate progress.
Marking the end of the high-level ministerial segment on Wednesday
evening at UN Headquarters in New York, a detailed draft Ministerial
Declaration was adopted, with 164 countries in favor, two against, and no abstentions.
The declaration reaffirmed the support of countries which are working towards
making the SDGs a reality.
In his address, Mr. Guterres pointed to the pressing
challenges of expanding conflicts and inequality; the erosion of human rights;
an ¡°unprecedented¡± global humanitarian crisis; and ¡°persistent pockets¡± of
poverty and hunger - while laying out pathways to move forward.
¡°Mobilize the
transformative power of the world¡¯s young people,¡± Mr. Guterres said, noting
that a UN strategy to address that need, will be launched in September.
He underscored that greenhouse gas emissions must be brought under
control, saying that there was a lack of political will to meet commitments and
that he would convene a Climate Summit in September ¡°to galvanize greater
climate ambition.¡±
Moving to the crucial issue of funding the Sustainable Development
Goals (), the
Secretary-General said a High-level Meeting on Financing the 2030 Agenda would
also be taking place later in the year.
He described technology as a double-sided coin which helps
deliver the SDGs but also exacerbates inequality. Last week he announced the
formation on a new High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, which will be
reporting to him in the coming months.
Mr. Guterres stressed that development is not only a
conflict-prevention tool, but fosters conditions for resilient societies and a
peaceful world. ¡°Multilateralism is the only way to tackle the complex,
inter-connected and long-term challenges we are facing,¡± he told delegates to
the forum.
The UN chief drew attention to the Global Compacts for Migration
and on Refugees as central in addressing SDGs, and expressed gratitude that
States have embraced UN Development System reform to help Governments respond
to the 2030 Agenda.
¡°Let us demonstrate through decisive actions that the
transformation demanded by the is well and truly underway,¡±
concluded the Secretary-General.
Source: United
Nations (www.un.org)