Tag: SDG

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7 Arab Nations Excel in Achieving SDG Targets

The ‘Arab Region SDG Index and Dashboards Report 2023’ highlighted that UAE, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Oman, Egypt, and Morocco have accomplished more than two-thirds of their targets…reports Asian Lite News

Seven of the 22 Arab countries – specifically, the UAE, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Oman, Egypt, and Morocco – have accomplished more than two-thirds of their targets in the journey towards fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals.

This key achievement was highlighted in a report by the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, in partnership with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). The report – ‘Arab Region SDG Index and Dashboards Report 2023’ – aligns with the Year of Sustainability and building on the recent COP28 discussions.

This pivotal report is a key resource for governments, policymakers, and stakeholders, offering a comprehensive means to track and measure progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Additionally, it identifies key implementation challenges and data gaps, providing a solid foundation for developing actionable strategies.

Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of MBRSG, said, “The report reflects MBRSG’s dedication to empowering governments with innovative and proactive policies to meet various challenges and adapt to evolving circumstances at local, regional, and global levels,” he added.

Dr. Al Marri explained, “The report sheds light on the various development challenges confronting the Arab region, particularly its least developed countries. By adopting a data-driven approach, it offers a practical tool for targeted interventions aimed at fostering positive transformations across the region in relation to all Sustainable Development Goals.”

Dr. Fadi Salem, Director of the Policy Research Department at MBRSG and co-author of the report, stated, “The index, with its data-driven insights, underscores significant regional challenges and priorities. It calls for concerted efforts in the upcoming years to expedite development across diverse regional paths.” He also highlighted the importance of leveraging COP28 outcomes for unified regional progress towards a sustainable future.

Despite some regional advancements, the report highlights substantial ongoing obstacles in various developmental sectors within the Arab region. It calls for intensive efforts and the adoption of regional strategies to bridge existing gaps and foster progress towards a more sustainable future.

The report particularly highlights challenges in achieving gender equality (SDG 5), where all Arab countries have shown low performance, and the impact of conflicts on realising SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions). It calls for increased collective efforts to enhance gender equality policies, strengthen institutions, and tackle conflict-related issues.

Additionally, the report notes advancements in SDG 3 (good health and well-being) in some Arab countries, especially in basic health outcomes like neonatal and under-five mortality rates, and improvements in sectors related to SDG 4 (quality education).

Lama Zakzak, Principal Researcher at MBRSG and co-author, stressed the importance of the report’s findings on SDG 13 (climate action). She pointed out that while some countries have made progress in climate action, the least developed are still vulnerable to climate disasters and require significant support for climate-related goals, including adaptation measures.

Guillaume Lafortune, Vice President of the UN SDSN, commented, “This updated report offers a renewed assessment of the SDG progress and challenges in the Arab region, based on transparent and internationally recognized data.” He stressed the urgency of developing long-term investment strategies and ambitious plans with effective monitoring systems to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

The report also identifies the ongoing challenge of data availability, especially in monitoring SDGs related to poverty eradication and inequality reduction. It includes 113 indicators for the 17 SDGs, each with a score, colour-coding for performance levels, and trend arrows.

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India presents plan to accelerate progress on SDGs at G20 meet

Noting that the theme of the Indian Presidency ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ is call for urgent action, the minister said G20 countries need to be bold in ambition…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India has put forward an ambitious seven-year action plan for accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which presents a coordinated, integrated and inclusive roadmap for G20 actions.

In his keynote address at the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting here, the minister said the SDG agenda is a landmark not only in its universality, in that it applies to all countries but also in its integrity, in that it can only be successful as a comprehensive agenda. “If progress towards the SDGs was already falling short before COVID-19, this has only been further exacerbated by it. The climate change also continues unabated, with a disproportionate impact on Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Prospects for a global economic recovery remains dim amidst supply chain disruptions, prolonged debt crisis and pressures on energy, food and fertilizer security,” he said.

“The Development Ministerial is an opportunity for us as the G20 to demonstrate solidarity on these developmental issues. The decisions we make today have the potential to contribute to an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future,” he added.

He said India’s action plan for accelerating progress on SDGs puts forward transformative actions on the three core agendas.

“India has put forward an ambitious 7-year action plan for accelerating progress on SDGs, which presents a coordinated, integrated and inclusive roadmap for G20 actions. The action plan not only galvanizes a strong G20 commitment to the development agenda but also puts forward transformative actions on the three core agendas,” he said.

Jaishankar said the world today faces unprecedented and multiple crisis. “From the pandemics to disruptions in supply chains, from the impact of conflict to climate events, our era is becoming more volatile and uncertain by the day. Added to this is stubborn inflation, rising interest rates and shrinking fiscal space for many nations. As always, in such times, the weak and the vulnerable bear the brunt.”

He said the meeting is taking place a pivotal moment with multiple important forums and events ahead – the G20 Summit, the SDG Summit, the COP28 and the Summit of the Future.

“It is in our hands to shape the discussions at these future forums. We must put the development agenda at the heart of these discussions. The international community must speak in unison for those most in need,” he said.

Noting that the theme of the Indian Presidency ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ is call for urgent action, the minister said G20 countries need to be bold in ambition.

“We, as the G20 need to be bold in our ambition. We need to come together to address the crisis as one. As ‘One Earth’, we must demonstrate solidarity for those in need. Truly leave no one behind, mobilize resources and direct our efforts where they are most needed.

As ‘One Family’, we must break all silos and destroy all fragmentations,” he said.

During his address, he also touched upon the effects of climate change which has had a disproportionate impact on particularly least-developed countries and small island developing states. He also mentioned the prevailing debt crisis and food and energy security threats.

Jaishankar said it is essential to constantly strengthen the international architecture and governance systems for the protection of Global Order, Global Laws, and Global Values.

“In doing so we would invariably find ourselves on the path where diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation take precedence over competition, conflict and divisions. Choosing peace, cooperation and multilateralism is essential for building our collective future.” (ANI)

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