Progress on Sustainable Development Goals Topic of United Nations Forum
Engagement from business key to achieving goals by 2030
The United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development concluded this week, with more than 1000 leaders from government, business, and civil society discussing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 goals were adopted in 2015. An annual progress report is provided by the UN Secretary General.
Progress is being made toward the goals of ending poverty and hunger, but achieving all of the goals by the target date of 2030 will require urgency and laser sharp focus, Liu Zhenmin, U.N. Under-Secretary-General of Economic and Social Affairs, said in his opening remarks. The forum will focus on six of the goals.
U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed encouraged engagement from the private sector towards achieving the SDGs.
“The 2030 Agenda cannot be achieved by Governments alone”, she said. “To address the needs of the most vulnerable in communities around the world, we need a bolder approach to partnership, a dynamically engaged business community, and new forms of sustainability financing.”
Businesses contribute to the goal achievement through employment, technological innovation, finance, and opportunities for women, young people, and vulnerable groups.
Read more on the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development here and here.
