By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, His Excellency Edward Kallon says progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is lagging behind, with only 15% of targets on track.
This comes as Zimbabwe approaches the mid-point of the 2030 timeline, with Mr Kallon saying immediate action was required to accelerate progress and integrate economic models, policies, and investments with the SDGs.
“The outlined six transitions, encompassing food systems, energy access, education, digital connectivity, employment and social security, and climate action based on the 17 SDG framework provide a roadmap to accelerate implementation of the SDGs and investment pathways.
“Effectively executing these transitions necessitates innovative financing, governance, and integrated transformative policy frameworks. In this regard, the UN’s reforms position the organization favorably to support Zimbabwe in supporting and accelerating implementation of the SDGs,” Mr Kallon said.
The role played by the Resident Coordinator and UN country team, inclusive of UNDP, is vital in propelling progress on the transitions and fostering partnerships to expedite SDG achievement.
“As you know, the ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment, that provides oversight to the Resident Coordinator system opened 14 May in New York to review the returns on the investments of the ambitious UN development system reform, positioning the value add of the RC system and our UN teams’ work on the ground,” Mr Kallon said.
Just over five years ahead of the 2030 deadline The RC system is playing a vital role in boosting UN teams to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals, by:
- Aligning collective UN support to tackle countries’ challenges.
- Convening coalitions of partners for people and planet
- Building stronger synergies between the development, humanitarian and peacebuilding work
- Unlocking smarter funding for sustainable development – from global sources and in-country
- Boosting transparency & accountability for results, while advancing efficiencies
The impending Summit of the Future in September 2024 presents a substantial occasion to tackle global challenges and enhance multilateral cooperation towards sustainable development goals.
The forthcoming Pact for the Future, a summit outcome, will spotlight key areas such as sustainable development, peace, innovation, youth, and global governance, providing a pivotal juncture for the UNDP’s CPD mid-year review to integrate and reflect as we collaborate as the UN Development System towards embracing an ambitious Pact.
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