Accelerate the implementation of the SDGs to build a more just and prosperous world – Akufo-Addo urges leaders



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Ghana’s President and Co-Chair of the Group of Eminent Advocates of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Nana Akufo-Addo, urged world leaders to accelerate the implementation of the UN’s 17 SDGs to build a fairer, healthier, safer and more prosperous world for all.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “As our world struggles to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic, we must turn the crisis into an opportunity and step up the actions needed to achieve the SDGs. “

Speaking at the 2021 SDG Moment on the ‘Decade of Action’ on Monday, September 20, 2021, at United Nations Headquarters, the President recounted the 2019 Declaration, where world leaders declared the years 2020 to 2030 as the Decade of Action, and called on all Member States to significantly scale up and scale up actions to give the world a chance to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

He said that within months of the landmark Declaration, the whole world was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has since had a devastating effect on lives and livelihoods, and has significantly compromised prospects for achievement. of the SDGs.

“Available estimates indicate that in 2020 alone, some 124 million people around the world were pushed back into extreme poverty, with some 132 million people going hungry as a result of the pandemic. The net effect of these adverse developments is that our world is unlikely to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2030, ”the president said.

Describing the quest to achieve the SDGs in the wake of the pandemic as becoming increasingly intimidating, he urged world leaders to “think big, act big and act smart”.

As countries take action to cope with the effects of the pandemic, President Akufo-Addo said that “we cannot afford to perpetuate unsustainable development, by upsetting the critical balance between economic, social imperatives. and environmental ”.

He continued, “Our recovery measures and interventions cannot and should not be divorced from actions aimed at ensuring prosperity, promoting peace, protecting people and safeguarding the planet. Undeniably, the SDGs provide a solid framework for responding to the pandemic and putting communities, businesses and ecosystems on a sustainable path. “

Proposing “two essential ingredients to better progress and intensify actions to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the SDGs”, the president noted that, first, there is an urgent need to bridge the financing of 2.5 trillion dollars of the SDGs. gap, especially for developing countries, where the human development deficit is indeed greatest.

“With around $ 360 trillion available in global financial assets, as of 2019, the resources to finance the SDGs are certainly available. The question which arises is to know if the rich countries of the world are thus ready to accept the new paradigm of DGS, and to play their role or not ”, he noted.

The President also spoke about the world’s ability to access and deploy innovative solutions and new technologies, which will significantly accelerate progress towards the goals.

“New forms of social practice and organization, as well as new and improved technological products and processes, are key catalysts for achieving the SDGs. While embracing innovation, deliberate measures must be taken to discourage innovations that contribute to environmental degradation, disrupt livelihoods and exacerbate inequalities, ”added President Akufo-Addo.



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