NEW YORK: This week, the United Nations General Assembly is convening in New York to bring world leaders together, with a particular emphasis on accelerating efforts to achieve worldwide development goals.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, ahead of Monday’s session, highlighted that only 15% of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are currently on track to be achieved by the target year of 2030.
Guterres emphasized the importance of the SDG Summit on Monday, viewing it as a critical opportunity for governments to present concrete plans and proposals aimed at accelerating progress towards the established goals. These objectives encompass a broad range of critical global issues, including ending poverty, eradicating hunger, ensuring affordable energy access, taking urgent action to combat climate change, and promoting gender equality.
A recent report released in July outlined the challenges that have impeded progress towards the achievement of these development goals. These hurdles include the adverse impacts of the climate crisis, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and a weakened global economy.
Prominent figures from 145 nations are set to participate in the General Assembly session, commencing on Tuesday, where they will share their insights and perspectives. Notable attendees include U.S. President Joe Biden, who is scheduled to address the assembly on Tuesday, alongside Secretary-General Guterres. However, some leaders, such as those from Britain, China, France, and Russia, will not be in attendance, with their countries being represented by lower-ranking ministers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is slated to address the gathering on Tuesday and participate in a subsequent meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. Secretary-General Guterres emphasized that this is a critical moment for genuine collaboration and actionable solutions, rather than mere posturing or positioning. He stressed the necessity for compromise to build a better tomorrow, underscoring the urgency of concerted efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
