Leaders adopt political declaration at SDG Summit

By Angus Whyte – Contributor

From Sept. 18 to 19, world leaders gathered in New York for the 2023 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Summit, where they adopted a political declaration intended to accelerate the achievement of the 17 SDGs established in 2015. This summit is held every four years to reevaluate and reaffirm the United Nations’ commitment to their SDGs.

A “fireside chat” during the SDG Summit. From left to right: Moderator Gillian Tett from the Financial Times; Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group; Ajay Banga, President of World Bank Group; and Carolina Cosse, Mayor of Montevideo, Uruguay. Photo courtesy of PMO Barbados, under public domain via https://www.flickr.com/photos/pmobarbados/53198832715/

Unsurprisingly, due to COVID-19 and the resulting contraction of global economies, progress on SDGs has slowed and even reverted in some areas. The Sustainable Development Solutions Network showed that progress stalled on responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), life below land (SDG 15) and life below water (SDG 14).

The political declaration takes a pessimistic tone stating: “The achievement of the SDGs is in peril. At the midpoint of the 2030 agenda, we are alarmed that the progress on

most of the SDGs is either moving much too slowly or has regressed below the 2015 baseline”.

The political declaration goes on to emphasize climate change and the eradication of extreme global poverty as persisting challenges.

This summit placed a heavy focus on the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on developing nations. The UN intends to reinforce multilateral efforts to strengthen developing nations, representing a no-one-left-behind philosophy as the 2030 deadline quickly approaches.

Although the UN faces challenges post-pandemic, there exist many positive and hopeful declarations resulting from this SDG summit. Despite slowed progress, the UN asserts its commitment to accelerating and ultimately achieving the SDGs by 2030. This exemplifies the unity and cohesive effort that will be required to accomplish such a momentous task.

“We remain resolved, between now and 2030, to end poverty and hunger everywhere; to combat inequalities within and among countries; to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies; to respect, protect and fulfill human rights and achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources”