In a historic move, 193 UN member countries have unanimously agreed to the new agenda
New York: The UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015 convened on Friday, under the presence of Pope Francis and several other heavyweight advocates of development. While the opening ceremony was marked by diverse performances
by Colombian singer Shakira and singer Angelique Kidjo, UN ambassador for Peace and education advocate Malala Yousafzai delivered a addressed the members with support from representatives of the 193 countries, holding solar-powered lamps in order to make a point about the youth’s ideas and expectations about the future.
The agenda, presented at the beginning of the three-day summit was met with a grand standing ovation from the members. With seventeen core points to be met with, the agenda was deemed a promising one, especially as its primitive idea aims to abolish poverty by 2030, leading to a sustainable future. The reaction assured of international co-operation in action and the individual speeches of the member nations’ premiers reinforced the hope of pro-bono national action. As millions watched the agenda unveil, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban-ki-Moon, said, “The new agenda is a promise by leaders to all people everywhere. It is a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world. It is an agenda for people, to end poverty in all its forms,” he added. “It is an agenda for shared prosperity, peace and partnership (that) conveys the urgency of climate action (and) is rooted in gender equality and respect for the rights of all. Above all, it pledges to leave no one behind.”
Even as the euphoria grew, the Secretary- General warned that the major challenge of the agenda 2030 would be the efficiency of implementation. He urged for efforts from all nations, calling the 17-point agenda a ‘ blueprint for change’. The ‘blueprint’ has attempted to fight the problems of endless poverty, marginalization, inequality in opportunity and wealth and the consequent deterioration in the environment and extreme climate change. The agenda not only attempts to find a solution to the existing problems, but also to defeat their causes, including corruption and immense irresponsibility,. Stated the Pope, “The
adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the World Summit, which opens today, is an important sign of hope.”
The official declaration read, “We are setting out together on the path towards sustainable development, devoting ourselves collectively to the pursuit of global development and of ’win-win‘ cooperation which can bring huge gains to all countries and all parts of the world.” The General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft praised the agenda, calling it “ambitious” in its ideas and the practicality of its plan. The adoption ceremony was presided over by Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who , in their speeches highlighted the success of Millennium Development Goals and hence, requested full effort to make the new Agenda a success as well.
The people have always been cynical about the implementation of development plans because, as a representative of civil society, Salil Shetty, Secretary-General of Amnesty International reasoned,” There is a gap in the world we live in and the world we want.” However, the Agenda has so far been well-received the world-over. The Pope has also stressed over the problems in the Middle-East and in African countries in his address, further validating the people’s skepticism.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address, on Friday, showcased the efforts already undertaken in India towards development. While talking about the Dhan Yojana schemes and women empowerment schemes, he said, “In India, we are investing in something known as the ‘personal sector’. Apart from the public and private sectors, we are encouraging individual development, so that the country can develop as a whole.”
Talking about sustainable development, he stressed, “I represent a culture where the earth is our mother.” In his speech, PM Modi presented the plan of action that is to be taken in India and how the country has progressed so far. Closing his address, he wished all the countries his best in their endeavours towards sustainable development and emphasised that India would co-operate in all its partnerships for the same.
With the Iranian And Chinese premiers set to address the assembly at the second meeting, the UN SDG is expected to be a massive step towards a better, sustainable and poverty-free future.
Source: UN SDG Updates, The Guardian
Tags: 2030 sustainable development agenda UN
