UN Secretary-General appoints four new SDG advocates | General news

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed four new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocates ahead of the start of the 76th United Nations General Assembly.

A statement released by the UN, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said it was part of immediate action to protect the world’s most valuable assets and to meet the common aspirations of humanity.

The four new SDG advocates include Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi, STEM activist Valentina Muñoz Rabanal, Microsoft President Brad Smith and K-pop superstars BLACKPINK.

“We are at a turning point. The choices we make now could set us on the path to collapse and a future of perpetual crisis; or a breakthrough towards a greener and more secure world, ”said the UN Secretary-General.

“SDG advocates are using their considerable spheres of influence to reach new constituencies to act now and deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals for people and for the planet. ”

The statement said Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, 2014 Peace Prize Laureate, would focus on protecting and promoting children’s rights around the world.

“Peace, justice and sustainability will only be achieved when every child is free, safe, healthy and educated. Every child counts, ”said Mr. Satyarthi.

He said 18-year-old STEM activist Valentina Muñoz Rabanal once helped draft the first artificial intelligence policy in her home country, Chile.

“As the youngest advocate for the SDGs, I want to be the voice of young people, especially girls, to improve intergenerational dialogue in decision-making places and lay the groundwork for establishing digital rights in the world,” said Ms. Rabanal said.

The statement said Mr. Brad Smith, as president of Microsoft, plays a key role in driving the company’s work on critical issues involving the intersection of technology and society, including cybersecurity, environmental sustainability, human rights and philanthropy.

He said that in his role as an advocate for the SDGs, Mr Smith will focus on bridging the digital skills gap and the importance of setting bold goals with a focus on environmental sustainability.

“The breadth and size of the challenges the world faces today, such as poverty, inequality and climate change, compel us all to join forces and develop new solutions, many of which can be activated or accelerated. through digital technology, Smith said.

“As we aspire to live out our mission of creating opportunity for everyone, everywhere, we look forward to partnering with governments, industries and civil society on the UN’s 17 SDGs by bringing our creativity, our expertise and our know-how to unleash the power of digital technology “.

The statement says that as the most-subscribed pop artist on YouTube with more than 65 million subscribers worldwide, BLACKPINK has engaged with the 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP26) to encourage young people to take climate action to protect the planet.

He said that Jisoo Kim (JISOO), Jennie Kim (JENNIE), Roseanne Park (ROSÉ) and Lalisa Manobal (LISA) will continue to exert their influence to bring about positive changes in the world.

“We really believe in the importance of collective action. We can only make a difference if we come together, for the good of all. Now is the time to act for a safer future and a better future, ”they said.

The statement says that, co-chaired by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, the UN Secretary-General’s SDG advocates are leading global leaders and are working to mobilize action to achieve the SDGs by 2030..