UN leaders urge countries to rescue Global Goals: focus on cost of living, education and climate action
Nairobi, 3 May 2023-- UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, in her role as Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) presided over the Group’s annual session, bringing together all UN chiefs working on development. To address global challenges, including the impacts of the rising cost of living, climate change, and challenges for gender equality, UNSDG leaders agreed that rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is imperative. Discussions focused on how to boost UN teams’ ambition and support countries’ transitions in key areas such as energy, climate, food systems, education, jobs and social protection, and digital.
UN leaders agreed that this joint effort must be topped by smarter funding for the SDGs ahead of the SDG Summit. The group noted that the UN development system reform has led to improved coordination and integration of UN teams on the ground for increased efficiency, making the most of programming instruments and funding schemes.
Ms. Mohammed stressed that transformations towards sustainable development require policies to "unlock the rapid and deep transitions needed to achieve the Goals by 2030" as the 2023 Global Report on Sustainable Development highlights.
The Group also flagged that the SDG Summit scheduled in September is a key moment to encourage ambition for more impact with seven years left to achieve the SDGs. The group called on specific results in key transformational issues that positively impact human rights, particularly for women and girls.
This September, world leaders will meet at UN headquarters at the SDG Summit to shape a rescue plan for people and the planet. This follows up on the review and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , which have never been more urgent to tackle the impacts of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world. The summit is expected to yield political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to the target year of 2030 for achieving the SDGs.
