Support “turbocharged” efforts to get back on track to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN chief told the General Assembly on Monday.
“Today, we are here to start the job of moving the recommendations in Our Common Agenda from ideas to action – from abstract to concrete,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.
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Briefing the world body on Our Common Agenda, launched in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic as a guide to realizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) he provided a progress report and call to action.
‘Far off track’
Midway to the deadline set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress has been made, but much more remains to be done, he said.
“Halfway to 2030, we are far off track,” he said. “This must be the year when we lay the foundations for more effective global cooperation that can deal with today’s challenges as well as new risks and threats down the line.”
Turning words into action is key, he said. Efforts can regain lost ground by addressing challenges that have emerged since 2015, including gaps in intergovernmental cooperation.
Significant steps include the breakthrough on loss and damage, the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the Transforming Education Summit, the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection, and the establishment of a UN Youth Office.
‘Closer to the edge’
“But, they are clearly only a beginning,” he said. “We need to go further and deeper. On climate, on conflict, on inequality, on food insecurity, on nuclear weapons – we are closer to the edge than ever.”
However, collective problem-solving mechanisms do not match the pace or scale of the challenges, he said. He warned that current forms of multilateral governance, designed in and for a bygone era, are clearly not adequate to today’s complex, interconnected, rapidly changing and dangerous world.
‘Rescue the SDGs’
The SDG Summit, to be held at UN Headquarters September at the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda deadline, “must mark significant progress”, the Secretary-General said. He urged Member States to bring a clear commitment to rescue the SDGs by setting out their national vision for transformation, grounded in concrete plans, benchmarks, and commitments.
“The SDG Summit must make our commitment to leaving no one behind a reality in law and policy,” he said.
UNDP
The UN says the world is not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030.
New policy briefs
He reiterated a call on the Group of 20 countries to agree on a $500 billion annual stimulus to support countries of the global South before the SDG Summit. Meanwhile, he said his office will be issuing 11 policy briefs addressing such pressing issues as cyberwarfare and a building a more effective global economy.
He said many of the policy briefs’ proposals can also contribute to preparations for the Summit of the Future, to be held in 2024, which will be “a generational opportunity” to reinvigorate global action, recommit to fundamental principles, and develop multilateral frameworks that work for today’s world to “move us in to the future we want”.
General Assembly vision
General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi told the world body that his vision encompasses investing in the preparations for the Summit of Future to “turbocharge” SDG implementation at all levels. For that to happen, he encouraged Member States to review the lessons learned from voluntary national reviews, determine where to unlock new commitments, and spur the adoption of innovative policies based on scientific inputs.
“We have profound choices to make about the future we want,” he said. “And in this new paradigm, we must adapt, we must change. If we miss this moment to lay new foundations; it will not come again.”
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Is there a specific action plan outlined to address the gaps in intergovernmental cooperation since 2015?
Yes, there is indeed a specific action plan outlined to address the gaps in intergovernmental cooperation since 2015. The focus is on laying the foundations for more effective global cooperation to tackle today’s challenges and future risks. Turning recommendations into concrete actions is crucial to get back on track towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
As a strong advocate for sustainable development, I believe it’s crucial for us to join forces and turbocharge our efforts to meet the 2030 Goals. We are indeed far off track, but by turning words into action and enhancing global cooperation, we can make significant progress towards a more sustainable future.
As a firm believer in collective action, I think it’s crucial for us to band together and turbocharge our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN’s call to action resonates with me, and I am committed to turning ideas into concrete actions to tackle the challenges we face. Let’s make 2022 the year of real progress towards a sustainable future!
Do you think the current global cooperation efforts are sufficient to overcome the challenges in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030?
Global cooperation efforts have shown progress, but they are not yet sufficient to meet the challenges and goals by 2030. More collaborative action and commitment are needed from all nations to truly make a significant impact. Let’s unite our efforts for a sustainable future!
As a global citizen, I fully support the urgent call by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to turbocharge efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s clear that we are lagging behind, and decisive action is crucial to make meaningful progress by 2030. Let’s unite and work together to turn these aspirations into concrete realities. #2030Goals
“It’s crucial that we all come together to accelerate the progress towards meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Let’s make this year a turning point for real global cooperation and concrete actions.”
Are we on schedule to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 according to this report?
Regarding the report shared by the UN Secretary-General, it is evident that we are not on schedule to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. There is still much work to be done to steer our efforts back on track and bridge the existing gaps in global cooperation for a sustainable future.
As a passionate advocate for sustainable development, I fully support the UN’s call to turbocharge efforts towards achieving the 2030 Goals. It’s crucial that we move beyond abstract ideas and take concrete actions to ensure a better future for all.
As a long-time advocate for sustainable development, I believe it’s crucial for us to unite and accelerate our efforts to achieve the 2030 goals. Let’s prioritize turning plans into tangible actions to ensure a better future for all. Together, we can make a real difference!
“Today, we are here to start the job of moving the recommendations in Our Common Agenda from ideas to action – from abstract to concrete,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. Midway to the deadline set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress has been made, but much more remains to be done. Efforts can regain lost ground by addressing challenges that have emerged since 2015, including gaps in intergovernmental cooperation.”