The ambitious 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, adopted by the member states of the United Nations on January 1, 2016, targets the all round development of everybody and a sustainable upkeep of the planet. Over the course of 15 years, as the new Goals universally apply to all, countries are expected to mobilise efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
The SDGs, building on the progress of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aim to go further to end all forms of poverty, and call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income, to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Qatar has been playing a pioneering and leading role in achieving the global agenda through monetary contributions to the different UN agencies, hosting international conferences of parties interested and cooperating with other countries by helping them in their efforts toward achieving the development parameters through contributing to the education and employment sectors.
Yesterday, Qatar affirmed that the next phase in the journey to achieve the 2030 agenda, requires strengthening of the global partnership, reiterating its continued commitment to establishing partnership with the international community to achieve common goals.
Tamim Khalid Al Mansouri, member of Qatar’s delegation to the 74th session of the UN General Assembly at the Second Committee meeting to discuss sustainable development, said that the meeting is another opportunity to move forward in the common endeavour to ensure that no one is left behind and to address the obstacles to development, the world needs to take into account priorities, needs and specifics of developing and least developed countries in particular.
He referred to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s announcement at the UN Climate Action Summit of the contribution of $100m to support small developing island states and least developed states to deal with climate change.
Qatar had announced $500m during the Doha Forum last year for the UN organisations which will benefit the enhanced implementation of the Sustainable Development agenda. The world has already witnessed the contribution of Education Above All Foundation in equipping the less privileged, out of school children with necessary education and employment opportunities.
Qatar is keen to follow its words with actions whether it is in peace-making mediation or help providing education, jobs, or basic necessities for the most needy. There are thousands of examples of such efforts for everyone to see. The global community can be assured of Qatar’s proactive efforts immensely contributing to achieve the SDGs by the target date.
