Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) , The Journey So Far
By Norbert Fidelis
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) , is like a to do list , which serves as a blueprint for all countries of the world . It’s a call to action, to end poverty and hunger, as well as tackle other millennium problems like health , education ,climate change issues and inequality , through partnership and strategic planning .
The journey started in 1992 , in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ,when more than 178 nations adopted agenda 21, at the Earth Summit , to build a global partnership for SDG, to improve human lives and protect the environment . And in Sep.2020, member states converged together again at the UN Headquarters , in New York . This summit eventually culminated into the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) , with 8 objectives as it’s goals, to reduce poverty by 2015.
Moving further , another summit was held in Johannesburg , South Africa , in 2002 , which upheld the global community’s resolution to eradicate poverty and build on Agenda 21 , by tackling climate change issues , with more emphasis on partnership . And on June , 2012 , the world went back again to Rio de Janeiro , where it converged for yet another meeting . This time , they came up with the Theme , ” The Future We Want “, where member states decided to launch and develop a set of SDGs that will complement the MDGs, and also establish the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development . And in 2013 , a 30 member working group was set up by the General Assembly to develop a proposal on the SDG goals
Finally , in January , 2015 ,the Assembly started the negotiation on the post 2015 development Agenda , which eventually culminated into the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) , in Sep. 2015 , with 17 goals , as it’s objectives. The year 2015 , also marked the adoption of other landmark agreements such as , Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, (March 2015) , Addis Abbaba Action Agenda On Financing And Development , (July , 2015). and the Paris Agreement On Climate Change , (Dec. 2015)
Today , the Division For sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) , at the United Nations , provides support and capacity building , both for the SDGs and their thematic focus . Also, it plays a vital role , in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda , as well as advocacy and other activities related to SDGs , in order to make the Agenda a reality .
Meanwhile , the UN Secretary General , presents an annual SDG progress report , developed in cooperation with the UN system , which is based on the global indicator framework and data , produced by national statistical systems and information, collected at the regional level . Also , the Global SDG report , is written by independent scientists , appointed by the Secretary General, and produced once in four years . This report is to inform the quadrennial SDG review deliberations at the General Assembly ..
Today , the SDG goals has recorded various successes in gender inequality , good governance , poverty reduction environmental sustainability , blue economy FGM , education , health and others . Also it is the fulcrum , which all nations of the world , drive their govt and economy . Lets join hands and make Agenda 2030 a success
