UN Vice-Chief calls for immediate action to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed delivers a speech at the opening of the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the UN headquarters in New York on July 8, 2024. Mohammed on Monday called for immediate commitments to bold actions and innovative solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. (Loey Felipe/UN photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, July 8 (Xinhua) — UN Assistant Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Monday called for immediate commitments to bold policies and innovative solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

In his speech at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), Mohammed stressed the urgent need for “transformative action” to address major global challenges such as poverty, food insecurity and climate change.

“While the greatest challenges ahead are daunting, together we can overcome them and achieve the peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future that all people not only need but deserve,” she told delegates at UN headquarters in New York.

With regard to the path to the 2030 Agenda, Mohammed underlined the importance of the upcoming Future Summit. “The Summit is a unique opportunity to restore lost trust and show that international cooperation – human solidarity in the face of opportunities but also threats – can move us forward,” she said.

Mohammed spoke about the multifaceted challenges facing the global community, from poverty to climate change, and the disturbing reality that less than a fifth of the SDGs are on track. “But it is also solvable… that is what this forum is about – finding solutions and the political will to turn our words into actions in the lives of billions of people,” she noted, affirming the collective ability to overcome these challenges and achieve a sustainable future for all.

This year’s HLPF, held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), focuses on eradicating poverty through sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions amid various global crises.

The aim of the forum, which will take place from 8 to 17 July, is to assess progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including ending poverty, fighting hunger, climate action, peaceful and inclusive societies and improving implementation methods.

The programme includes Voluntary National Review (VNR) Labs, where countries present reports on their SDG achievements, challenges and future strategies. In addition, the Forum will be enriched by various side events and exhibitions.

Addressing the forum, ECOSOC President Paula Narvaez highlighted the particular problems facing developing countries, particularly those in conflict regions, and stressed the fundamental need for peace and stability. “The agenda includes local and regional action, lessons from regional fora, key intergovernmental discussions and the presentation of the VNRs by 37 countries,” noted Narvaez, linking the ongoing discussions to the upcoming Summit of the Future in September.

“This will be a space to showcase transformative actions and initiatives related to monitoring the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Summit, while sharing priorities and expectations for the upcoming Summit,” she said.

(Web editors: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)