Ten Years to Transform the World: A Decade of Action to achieve the SDGs by 2030

In 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The 17 SDGs call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. With only ten years remaining to achieve these goals, countries are accelerating steps towards ending all forms of poverty, fighting inequalities, tackling climate change and ensuring that no one is left behind.  Every month, the United Nations places one of the 17 SDGs under the spotlight, highlighting its purpose, target, indicators and outlining its criticality in advancing Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. The focus is placed on all of the 17 goals as we launched the Decade of Action on 22 January 2020.

By NATHALIE NDONGO-SEH

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all countries in 2015—our shared vision to end poverty, rescue the planet and build a peaceful world—are gaining global momentum. There is evidence of progress, but we are still far from the world we want. With only 10 years left to achieve the SDGs by the 2030 deadline, there is an urgent need to step up action. Everybody has a contribution to make.  

On 24 and 25 September 2019, Heads of State and Government gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to follow up and comprehensively review progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 SDGs. The event was the first UN Summit on the SDGs since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in September 2015.

The SDG Summit resulted in the adoption of the Political Declaration “Gearing up for a decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. World leaders called for a decade of action for delivering and accelerating sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges—ranging from poverty and gender to climate change, inequality and closing the finance gap. World leaders  pledged to mobilize financing, enhance national implementation and strengthen institutions to achieve the Goals by the target date of 2030, leaving no one behind. More than 100 acceleration actions were announced. In the same meeting, UN Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres called on all sectors of society - governments, businesses, civil society and individuals everywhere alike - to mobilize at three levels: 

1. global action to secure greater leadership, more resources and smarter solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals; 
2. local action embedding the needed transitions in the policies, budgets, institutions and regulatory frameworks of governments, cities and local authorities; and 
3. people action, including by youth, civil society, the media, the private sector, unions, academia and other stakeholders, to generate an unstoppable movement pushing for the required transformations.

On Wednesday, 22 January 2020, the UN Secretary-General further drew our attention to four looming threats to our global future. Using the metaphor of the ‘four horsemen’ in the book of Revelations in the Bible, the UN Chief mentioned these threats as:

(i) surging geopolitical tensions,

(ii) the climate crisis,

(iii) global mistrust, and

(iv) the downsides of technology.

The UN Secretary-General called upon everyone to address these challenges. In a wide ranging speech to the General Assembly, Mr. Guterres stated: “That is why commemorating the 75th anniversary with nice speeches won’t do.  We must address these four 21st-century challenges with four 21st-century solutions” .

To mark its 75th anniversary, the United Nations is igniting a people’s debate out of which unprecedented and innovative additional 21st-century solutions may also be drawn. 2020 will be a year of listening and learning for the Organization. UN Agencies Funds and Programmes (AFPs) will play  pivotal roles in stimulating UN75 dialogues across people, groups and communities from all walks of life, thereby ensuring that every voice is heard.

The debate promises to be the largest and furthest reaching global conversation ever on building the future we want. Through UN75, the United Nations will encourage people to put their heads together to define how enhanced international cooperation can help realize a better world by 2045 when the UN will celebrate its  100th birthday.

The UN@75 dialogues are framed around three major questions:

1. What kind of future do we want to create?

2. Are we on track?

3. What action is needed to bridge the gap? 

Anyone can join the conversation. Online and offline, in formal and in informal dialogues.  

In 2019, the UN family in Eswatini facilitated dialogues with two critical stakeholders; women and the media. These conversations on the achievements of the UN over the past 75 years, the aspirations and challenges of those stakeholders, the future they want and how the Government, the UN and partners can accompany them in their journey towards economic development and self-growth are on-going as more dialogues will be facilitated at decentralised levels with the same and different groups, including the youth, people with disabilities, faith-based organisations, private sector and government sectors.

The Government of Eswatini is committed to become one of the pioneers and role models to achieve SDGs. The kingdom has mainstreamed Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 into its National Development Strategy and National Development Plan.  Attainment of the SDGs is coordinated by  the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD) under the guidance and the oversight of the Prime Minister and the overall leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III.

In July 2019, the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Thambo Gina presented to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Eswatini Voluntary National Review (VNR). Eswatini forms part of the forty-seven countries that presented their national implementation efforts, a testament to Eswatini’s commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, thereby showcasing what Eswatini has achieved nationally but also sharing its lessons learned, along with challenges faced. The report also highlights how Eswatini has addressed the imperative of "leaving no one behind". Although limited evidence and data disaggregation clearly remain key challenges for Eswatini and other countries, where data is available, the report shows that Eswatini  has made good progress in creating an enabling policy environment for the SDGs to be achieved and has adhered to Sustainable Development Conventions such as the Paris Agreement and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Main challenges remain in reducing inequalities (Goal 10) and ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (Goal 12). On the latter, Eswatini is  developing a 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns to guide the implementation of goal 12. The Government also continues to improve basic services and productive economic programmes to increase sustainable economic livelihood.  In terms of climate action, progress was noted in the integration of  climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning and improved awareness-raising on climate change mitigation in curricula in schools and university. It was noted that behavioural change will make the difference.

In the  report, Eswatini highlighted the challenge of  funding and financing development for a Middle Income Country (MIC) such as Eswatini, especially with donor aid fatigue and global economic austerity, which have led to a decline in Foreign Direct Investment and a significant reduction in Official Development Assistance (ODA), including support for UN programmes.  

The situation is exacerbated by the limited presence of external development partners present. While  investments in the SDGs are insufficiently funded, national capacities need to be strengthened for resource mobilization, the prevention of illicit financial flows, an expansion of the fiscal space that generate sustainable inclusive economic growth, decent work, people’s access to credit, and prosperity.

The UN country team (UNCT) in Eswatini is preparing its next cooperation framework for 2021-20205, referred to as the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Through its Cooperation Framework, the UN seeks to expand from “funding SDGs” to “SDG financing” while using its convening power to build and enhance  partnerships involving local authorities, state entities, civil society and community organizations, academia, the private sector, businesses and philanthropic organizations, bi and multilateral partner, and the media, to name only a few.

UNSDCF 2021-2025 will represent the UN Development System’s collective endeavours and offer to support Eswatini in addressing SDG priorities and gaps. Through the lens and the principle of leave no-one behind, Eswatini can expect programmatic areas aimed at reducing extreme poverty, inequalities, advocate for quality education, climate action and inclusion, thereby increasing the livelihoods of the nation. The UN , through increased partnerships and  leveraging of resources, will continue to strive for the betterment of the people of Eswatini.

 We have 10 years to transform our world, including Eswatini. Together we can end extreme poverty, win the race against climate change and conquer injustice and gender inequality. Let’s accelerate efforts: every contribution matters.

Goal in Focus - Schedule for 2020

January – All Goals / Launch of the Decade of Action

February – Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

March – Goal 5 – Gender Equality

April – Goal Health and Well-being

May – Goal 15 - Life on Land

June – Goal 14 – Life below water

July – Goal 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure

August – Goal 10 – Reduced inequalities

September – All Goals / UN General Assembly

October – Goal 17 – Partnerships / UN Day / UN 75th Anniversary

November – Goal 13 – Climate Action

December – Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions