The UN development system must be effectively reformed if it is to limit the impact of the serious threats that impede the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, on the sidelines of the annual operational segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), warning that the world is facing a crisis of confidence and trust, rooted in legitimate fears.
And while the benefits of globalization should be clear to all, “too many are being left behind,” he noted, with a gender gap and inequalities dominating labour market and poverty eradicating. These conditions require effective action to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline the Organization’s commitment to expand opportunities for all, by empowering women, meaningfully including young people, reducing climate risk, creating decent jobs and mobilizing clean investments for inclusive growth. According to the UN chief, as quoted by UN news, the 2030 Agenda is crucial to rebuild the trust needed for fair globalization.
We are now closer than ever to repositioning sustainable development at the heart of the organization and to having a development system that is an even stronger partner as we seek to deliver for people. Together, let us make good on our shared promise to humanity – a future of prosperity, peace and dignity for all.
The UN SDG 14 relates to a careful management of the seas and marine resources as a key step towards sustainable development. The world’s rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of the food, and even the oxygen in the air, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea.
The IMO, the UN body responsible for the maritime industry, adopted, at its 30th Assembly in late 2017, its strategic plan for 2018-2023, including seven newly-identified strategic directions for IMO, placing the Organization firmly on route to supporting the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Earlier in 2018, the UN Global Compact, the Norwegian Government and partner companies announced the launch of the Business Action Platform for Oceans, that enables companies for the first time to take a leading role in addressing ocean sustainability. The platform will be formally based in the UN Global Compact, the private sector initiative of the UN.
