Mr. Guterres was talking on the opening of a high-level discussion board at UN Headquarters the place world leaders adopted a political declaration to accelerate motion to obtain the 17 targets, which purpose to drive financial prosperity and well-being for all individuals whereas defending the surroundings.
“The SDGs aren’t just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere,” he mentioned.
Going backwards
World leaders adopted the SDGs in 2015, promising to depart nobody behind. The targets embrace ending excessive poverty and starvation, guaranteeing entry to clear water and sanitation, in addition to inexperienced vitality, and offering high quality common schooling and lifelong studying alternatives.
Each purpose comprises targets, with 169 total, however Mr. Guterres warned that at present solely 15 per cent are on observe, whereas many are getting in reverse.
He mentioned the political declaration “can be a game-changer in accelerating SDG progress.”
It features a dedication to financing for growing nations and clear help for his proposal for an SDG Stimulus of a minimum of $500 billion yearly, in addition to an efficient debt-relief mechanism.
It additional requires altering the enterprise mannequin of multilateral improvement banks to provide non-public finance at extra reasonably priced charges for growing nations, and endorses reform of the worldwide finance structure which he has labelled “outdated, dysfunctional and unfair.”
Millions nonetheless ravenous
The UN chief highlighted the necessity for motion in six important areas, beginning with addressing starvation, which he referred to as “a shocking stain on humanity, and an epic human rights violation.”
“It is an indictment of every one of us that millions of people are starving in this day and age,” he added.
The Secretary-General mentioned the transition to renewable vitality isn’t taking place quick sufficient, whereas the advantages and alternatives of digitalization should not being unfold extensively sufficient.
United Nations
The 2023 SDG Summit
Education can not wait
At the identical time, too many kids and younger individuals worldwide are victims of poor high quality schooling, or no schooling in any respect, he continued, earlier than shining a highlight on the necessity for respectable work and social safety.
Finally, he referred to as for an finish to the struggle on nature and “the triple planetary crisis” characterised by local weather change, air pollution and biodiversity loss.
Ensure gender equality
“Cutting across all of these transitions is the need to ensure full gender equality,” he mentioned. “It’s long past time to end discrimination, ensure a place at every table for women and girls, and to end the scourge of gender-based violence. “
Mr. Guterres highlighted UN response to each area, including initiatives to transform global food systems so everyone can have access to a healthy diet.
Other efforts focus on boosting investment in the renewable energy transition, promoting internet access for all, creating 400 million new “decent jobs”, and lengthening social safety to over 4 million individuals.
More to come on this growing story…
