In light of the fact that only 12 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track, president of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Lachezara Stoeva, emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimism regarding their prospects.
Optimism can only be grounded in reality when crucial factors such as solidarity, political will, and unwavering commitment are ensured, indicated Stoeva during a recent interview.
“We are off track. Statistics is depressing, but this is the only framework we have for development. And we should stick to it,” Stoeva told this reporter amidst a demanding schedule at the ongoing High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which is diligently reviewing the progress of SDGs in critical areas such as clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, among others.
Referring to the astonishing statistics regarding the progress of SDGs unveiled by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in April, highlighting that merely 12 percent of the SDG targets are “on track,” Stoeva emphasized the urgent need for the international community to unite and mobilize at all levels in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda, which was adopted in 2015.
“We need a strong commitment on behalf of our leaders to the SDGs and for the next seven years,” she added.
Against the backdrop of the sobering state of SDGs, the ECOSOC president urged for a “reaffirmation of commitment,” a “refocusing” on the SDGs, and a “redoubling of efforts,” while the sentiment of “a bit of fatigue” is prevailing.
Stoeva said fatigue arises from the familiarity of recurring challenges. Therefore, a refocus on the agenda is crucial to ensure the fulfillment of the goals set in 2015.
It’s essential to remember that Agenda 2030 is “a global program,” inclusive of all nations, as it holds “equal importance for developed and developing countries,” she said.
However, the ECOSOC president said that “the good news is that we still have seven more years to catch up. So, if there is enough political will, and we join forces, there is a strong chance will be very close to achieving the goals by 2030.”
Stoeva underscored the significance of solidarity in the journey towards achieving the SDGs.
“We have to improve solidarity,” she stressed.
“Despite the obvious divisions that we can probably sense politically, there is solidarity in terms of development,” she pointed out.
The ECOSOC president expressed her satisfaction at the sight of the meeting rooms for the ongoing HLPF being “overflowing,” indicating the “very high interest” among participants.
She emphasized the notable level of “engagement and enthusiasm” during the high-level event.
“We are talking about the holistic approach to sustainable development goals. It’s also a whole society approach. This means that we, as member states have to accept and have to be willing to work with all stakeholders,” Stoeva stressed.
“The (2030) Agenda belongs to everybody in order for us to implement it. We do need stakeholders,” she added.
“Local level is where we need to start and that’s how you have to act locally in order to change things globally,” she said, adding that “every country and all of us individually have to ask ourselves, what’s our role as an individual, as an entity to achieve the sustainable development goals.”
When addressing the highly debated reform of the financial systems, which have posed challenges to the achievement of the SDGs, the ECOSOC president expressed that the current international financial institutions “were created at such a different time, and they responded to different needs.”
“Obviously, they need to be updated,” she said. “They need to be fair, because at the moment, they’re not as fair as they have to be,” she added.
The ECOSOC president said that the world needs a new system…We don’t need more and more indebted countries. This is not going to solve the issues for us,” she said.
When discussing the pathway to expedite progress towards the targets, Stoeva stated that “we need to see how we can get them on board and work together with them. Again, inclusion of all stakeholders.”
“Across the board we are not doing too well, but we still are at the midpoint,” said the EOCOC president.
“The game is usually decided in the second half, not in the first,” said Stoeva.
“We have no choice, but to be optimistic. That’s the only thing that can drive us forward,” the ECOSOC president said.
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