INCLUSIVE multilateralism and regional cooperation are needed in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, according to the United Nations (UN).
In the online commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the foundation of the UN on Monday, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) Executive Director Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana said the Covid-19 crisis has “exacerbated the fault line” in societies.
Thus, countries should push for inclusive multilateralism to ensure that the world builds back better from Covid-19 and meet the SDGs, Alisjahbana said.
“Harnessing regional cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals must remain our compass to build back better. No country can fight this pandemic alone and no country can be secured when other countries in its neighborhood are fighting the pandemic,” Alisjahbana said.
“Investing in multilateralism cannot be overemphasized for a better, greener, and resilient recovery in this decade of action,” she added.
Alisjahbana said cooperation among and between countries will also be the key to meeting the goals set by the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework, and other internationally agreed development goals.
UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, Gita Sabharwal, said the SDGs can only be achieved through the adoption of digital solutions and science-based responses.
Sabharwal said the Covid-19 pandemic has made these necessary, especially for education. But these digital solutions and science-based responses are also needed for the climate crisis.
There is also a need to respond to the inequalities brought by the pandemic, she added. Those inequalities related to gender and income have been evident.
“As we set up our SDG Youth panel, I’ve been interviewing young people about what SDGs mean to them. One young woman could not have been more clear. (She said) it’s about collective survival, fear that we will die young, and inequality. The United Nations has a collective responsibility to her and to her entire generation,” Sabharwal said.
“We know that youth engagement and leadership is absolutely essential for the future we want and the UN. We need to redouble our efforts in youth collaboration, find new ways to reach the young people and engage with them to find solutions to the development challenges of today. Most importantly, we need to listen to their voices and build partnerships to take meaningful action on SDGs,” she also said.
Young innovators across the Asia and the Pacific region are leading the charge to build back better through their social enterprises that seek to address SDG goals and targets.
Sonika Manandhar, cofounder of Nepal-based fintech firm Aeloi Technologies, said their social enterprise has helped microentrepreneurs by providing green digital finance. In doing so, Manandhar said Aeloi is able to work toward achieving SDGs 8 on decent work and SDG 13 on Climate Action.
Other young innovators such as Aukrit Unahalekhaka, cofounder and CEO of Ricult Thailand, are helping farmers in Thailand and Pakistan increase productivity and affordable financing.
Through their free smartphone application, Unahalekhaka said Ricult provides advice to farmers regarding planting their crops and weather forecasts, among others. With the data, they can also advise financing institutions, including banks, on the farmers who need funding.
The list of young entrepreneurs also include Sagufta Janif, the founder of Fiji-based Fusion Hub, which is helping turn plastic waste into marketable products such as furniture and providing women a source of livelihood.
“We need to be included, our solutions need to be recognized and our leaders need to work with us and support us so that we are able to rapidly scale these solutions,” Janif said.
Escap said the UN’s 75th anniversary marks a period of extraordinary progress in Asia and the Pacific and a period of ever-growing regional cooperation.
The anniversary also comes at the critical juncture of a new decade to advance toward the SDGs and the recovery from an unprecedented global health crisis coupled with severe economic and social impacts.
Escap said the need for innovative solutions and stronger cooperation across all stakeholders is clear.
The SDGs comprise 17 goals with around 169 targets with 230 global indicators adopted in September 2015.
The Global Goals aim to end poverty and hunger, promote universal health, education for all and lifelong learning, achieve gender equality, sustainable water management, ensure sustainable energy for all, decent work for all, resilient infrastructure, and reduce income inequality between and among countries.
The goals also include create sustainable cities, ensure sustainable consumption and production, take action against climate change, conserve and sustainably use oceans and marine resources, reduce biodiversity loss, achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, and revitalize global partnership for development.