UN Secretary General calls for endorsement to new development agenda

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday calls for endorsement to new global sustainability agenda as the General Assembly is handing over the draft to member states.

"Agenda 2030 aims high," he said. "This agenda marks a paradigm shift. It completes the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), lifts the level of ambition and tackles emerging issues and challenges."

"Today we are ready to hand over this agenda to world leaders for endorsement at the Summit later this month," he said, urging the countries to continue showing the same strong commitment, flexibility and vision that they have demonstrated in adopting the new development agenda.

At this month's summit, heads of state and governments are expected to not only endorse the new Agenda but to affirm their strong political commitment to its timely implementation, said Ban.

In his remarks, the General Assembly President Sam Kutesa said the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the main component of the new development framework, are comprehensive and address the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in an integrated way.

"We have to ensure that the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which have been incorporated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is carried forward," he said.

"In this regard, greater attention will be needed in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation, advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, and creation of employment, among others," he added.

Furthermore, he pointed out that greater investments will be required in many areas such as infrastructure development, promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development, improvement of productive capacities, and creation of more opportunities for employment, especially for the youth.

Source: XINHUA