Many international development officials wear a rainbow crescent in their lapels as a symbol of their dedication to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Although it is acknowledged that the goals are not being met, there is a shared resolve to pick up the pieces and finish the cycle in the ensuing six years.
This autumn, world leaders will gather in New York to create a “Pact for the Future,” which will cover issues related to youth, science and technology, development, peace and security, and global governance. This agreement, according to the UN, is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to show off international cooperation.
The UN highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive initiative to fulfill the SDGs, given the current difficult situation, while some diplomats voice concerns about the summit’s broad scope. The agenda item for the summit is to obtain commitments for the 2030 targets, which include the eradication of poverty, raising living standards, and safeguarding the environment and public health.
People understand that if we don’t work together, we run the risk of losing focus on the important things, particularly in the poorer countries where achieving the 2030 development targets is still a top priority. The more progressive among them are already thinking about what will happen when the 2030 deadline for maintaining the momentum for good global change passes.