UN General Assembly approves declaration to speed up SDGS

THE theme of this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was “Rebuilding Trust and Re-igniting Global Solidarity”.

This topic is timely and relevant. As in 1955, the globe stands at a strategic crossroads. The trust deficit has reappeared, as has a lack of unity.

Both these factors have impeded progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). The question is if the leaders truly intend to reestablish trust, rekindle global solidarity, and work together to achieve the SDGS targets.

When world leaders agreed to speed up action to complete the 17 objectives, which are meant to promote economic development and well-being for all people while protecting the environment, António Guterres, the UN secretary, was speaking at the beginning of a high-level session at the UN headquarters.

SDGS are more than a simple set of objectives. The UN SecretaryGeneral stated that they “carry the rights, hopes, and expectations of people everywhere”.

Among 169 total targets across the 17 goals, only 15% are currently on track, the Secretary

General warned. Many are even moving backward.

The political announcement “can be a game-changer in accelerating SDG progress”, he said.

In addition to an efficient debtrelief mechanism, it contains a commitment to assistance for developing countries and unequivocal support for his call for an SDG Stimulus of at least US$500 billion yearly.

It also urges reform of the international financial system, which he has called “outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair”, and advocates for modifying the business model of multilateral development banks to offer private financing to developing countries at more affordable rates.

The debate’s topic this year was “Rebuilding Trust and Re-igniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for All”.

The 78th UNGA High-level Week brought together heads of state and government, as well as other high-level national officials, to address global issues and define priorities for advancing peace, security, and sustainable development.

This significant event was going to give Zimbabwe and other nations the chance to reaffirm their commitment to a robust and effective international cooperation at a time when the international community is facing unprecedented difficulties.

The entire world is currently at a strategic dilemma. The sole means to address the trust deficit and global inequity is through global solidarity and collective accountability.

The year 2015 saw the adoption of the SDGS by world leaders, who pledged to leave no one behind. The objectives include putting an end to severe poverty and hunger, assuring access to green energy, clean water and sanitary facilities, as well as delivering high-quality universal education and opportunities for lifelong learning.

Despite agreements, 1,2 billion people are still living in poverty as of 2022, and nearly 8% of the global population, or 680 million people, would face hunger by the end of the decade, according to UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis.

He stated that the international community cannot accept these figures.

“With concerted, ambitious action, we can still lift 124 million more people out of poverty and ensure that 113 million fewer people are malnourished by 2030,” he said.

Guterres emphasised the importance of action in six important areas, beginning with hunger, which he described as “a shocking stain on humanity and an epic human rights violation”.

“It is an indictment of each and every one of us that millions of people are starving in this day and age,” he added.

According to him, the shift to renewable energy is not occurring quickly enough, and the benefits and potential of digitalisation are not being sufficiently disseminated.

At the same time, he pointed out, “too many children and young people around the world are victims of poor quality education, or no education at all”, before emphasising the importance of decent work and social safety.

Finally, he urged an end to the war on environment and “the triple planetary crisis” of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

“The need to ensure full gender equality cuts across all of these transitions,” he said.

“It’s long past time to end discrimination, give women and girls a seat at every table, and put an end to the scourge of genderbased violence.”

Guterres emphasised the UN response to each sector, including attempts to improve global food systems so that everyone has access to a healthy diet.

Other initiatives aim to increase investment in renewable energy transition, promote universal internet access, create 400 million new “decent jobs”, and expand social security to nearly four million people.

Trade discrimination against underdeveloped countries persists. Certain countries control the global supply chain.

Many developing countries may fall short of meeting the SDGS by 2030. They also have difficulties with foreign debt and development financing.

All of these things would erode trust and togetherness. As a result, it is past time for us to make a genuine shift.

While these 17 goals, with their 169 targets, strive to improve living conditions and environmental protection, particularly in developing nations, they also include improvement expectations for affluent countries.

To achieve these goals by 2030, it is required to monitor SDG implementation. There are official UN programmes such as the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which monitors and documents the action of governments and regions in the work of implementing the SDGS.

Future sustainable growth depends on underdeveloped nations having access to secure digital technology, including AI (artificial intelligence). Now is the time to put what has been taught into practice.