Happy Birthday, SDGs!
In September of 2015, leaders of the world gathered in New York to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the most ambitious plan ever to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and create a better world. One year later, we are celebrating the first birthday of this agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), looking back at some of the key moments over this past year, including the announcement of the SDG Advocates, the agreement on global indicators to measure progress, national presentations and much more.
Advocates help raise SDGs awareness
As the new goals entered into force at the turn of the new year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of a group of seventeen SDG Advocates to help promote the goals and encourage everyone to work towards them.
The Advocates come from various parts of the world and are united in the common task of raising awareness and foster engagement of governments, businesses, civil society and others in working towards achieving the goals.
“As we face unprecedented humanitarian crises, our collective commitment to these seventeen goals will help transform our world, as we search together for peaceful and sustainable solutions”, said one of the Advocates, actor and a humanitarian activist, Forest Whitaker. He said that the word about the SDGs is spreading and that people everywhere want to ensure we achieve their vision.
Nations present efforts to implement goals
A milestone was achieved in March when the Statistical Commission agreed on a set of indicators that will help track progress in implementing each of the goals’ 169 targets. 230 global indicators were proposed as a starting framework, allowing further development as new tools and data sources become available.
During the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development this past July, the international community heard for the first time, 22 countries share what steps they are taking to implement the goals.
“The lessons you have offered, the actions you have showcased, and the gaps you have identified they are what this Forum is about”, said Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. He reiterated UN DESA’s continued support for the work of the Forum, providing analytical and research expertise.
Young leaders for SDGs announced
As the UN high-level week kicked off in New York on 19 September, the Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, announced seventeen Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals to promote the SDGs among the world’s two billion young people.
“Young people are committed, they have offered fresh ideas, and the exchange of ideas that happened today between the ministers and the young people will be very useful”, said Alhendawi. He urged Member States to make sure the voices of young people is heard during their deliberations in the General Assembly.
Celebrating anniversary with SDG Moment
The one year anniversary was celebrated with a special SDG Moment in the General Assembly Hall on 20 September. SDG Advocates Alaa Murabit and Forest Whitaker gave a short presentation, showcasing many efforts undertaken around the world towards achieving the goals. Following their presentation, the two Advocates talked about their experiences in the SDG Media Zone, answering questions from digital media reporters.
“We can’t act on anything unless we know about it”, said Alaa Murabit, activist, medical doctor and a UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment & Economic Growth. “Our first job is to make sure that societies, from regional, national, local governments, to civil society, to people, students and teachers, doctors and nurses, all know about the Sustainable Development Goals”, she added.
There are fourteen years left to make sure that nations across the globe achieve all 169 targets of the seventeen SDGs. Governments are already working on developing programmes, identifying gaps and tracking progress. With the active engagement of all parts of society, the world is slowly building a better future for all.
Happy Birthday, SDGs!
For more information:
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals