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Report on Ambassador Lassen’s Address on Global Challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations’ Role in Advancing the 2030 Agenda

• The United Nations (UN) is identified as an essential institution for global progress, despite intensifying conflicts and the growth of extreme poverty.
• The organization’s central role is evidenced by historical achievements that align with core principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty): The UN has been instrumental in lifting over a billion people out of poverty since its inception.
2. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Global life expectancy and living standards have significantly risen due to international cooperation facilitated by the UN.

Institutional Reform for Effective SDG Implementation

• A call was made for the reform of the UN Security Council and the international financial system to overcome divisions and inaction that hinder global progress.
• These reforms are presented as critical for creating an equitable system that supports all nations in achieving the SDGs.

1. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The need to expand the Security Council reflects the goal of building more effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): A reformed international financial system is required to “deliver for all,” directly addressing the goal of reducing inequality within and among countries.

Addressing Global Conflicts to Uphold Peace and Justice (SDG 16)

• The report highlights several ongoing conflicts that directly undermine the achievement of SDG 16 and related humanitarian goals.
• Specific crises and their implications were noted:
  • Gaza: The humanitarian crisis is described as a catastrophe, with a two-State solution cited as the only path to lasting peace.
  • Ukraine: The conflict’s impact extends beyond the battlefield, causing supply chain disruptions and global inflation that impede progress on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
  • Other Crises: Urgent humanitarian action is required in Sudan, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar to protect vulnerable populations and restore stability.

Climate Action as a Cornerstone of Sustainable Development

• Climate change is identified as a defining global challenge that impacts all aspects of sustainable development.
• Progress and necessary future actions were outlined:
  • SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): A positive development was noted, with over 90 percent of new power added to the world’s grid in 2024 coming from renewable energy.
  • SDG 13 (Climate Action): Despite progress, further action is deemed essential to reduce emissions and accelerate a just energy transition to meet global climate targets.

A Call for Global Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17)

• The address concluded with an urgent appeal for nations to rekindle cooperation and solidarity to address complex global challenges.
• This call to action directly supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which emphasizes the need to revitalize global partnerships for sustainable development.
• It was stressed that only through collective action can the international community overcome today’s challenges for the benefit of both people and the planet.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article explicitly mentions that “extreme poverty grows” as a current issue and references the historical achievement of lifting “more than a billion people… out of poverty.”
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article highlights progress in renewable energy, stating that “in 2024, more than 90 per cent of new power added to the world’s grid came from renewable energy.”
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Climate change is identified as a “defining challenge,” with a call to “reduce emissions and accelerate a just energy transition.”
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – This is a central theme, addressing intensifying conflicts (Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Haiti, Myanmar), the erosion of “respect for international law,” and the need for institutional reform, specifically the “expansion of the Security Council.”
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article concludes with a “call for unity,” urging nations to “rekindle cooperation and solidarity.” It also calls for the “reform of the international financial system” to create a system that “delivers for all,” which is a key aspect of global partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere. The article’s concern that “extreme poverty grows” directly relates to this fundamental target.
• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The statement about new power generation being over 90% from renewable sources is a direct reflection of progress towards this target.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The call to “reduce emissions and accelerate a just energy transition” aligns with the implementation of climate change measures at a global and national level.
• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article’s focus on the “humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the “horrific and illegal war” in Ukraine, and suffering in Sudan, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar points to the urgent need to achieve this target.
• Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance. The call for “expansion of the Security Council” is a direct appeal to reform global governance institutions to be more inclusive and effective.
• Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources. The ambassador’s final “call for unity” and for nations to “rekindle cooperation and solidarity” embodies the spirit of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 1.1: The phrase “extreme poverty grows” implies a negative trend in the indicator for the proportion of the population living below the international poverty line (Indicator 1.1.1).
• Specific Indicator for Target 7.2: The statistic that “more than 90 per cent of new power added to the world’s grid came from renewable energy” serves as a direct, quantifiable indicator of the increasing share of renewable energy (related to Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption).
• Implied Indicator for Target 13.2: The call to “reduce emissions” implies the use of indicators that measure greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., Indicator 13.2.2: Total greenhouse gas emissions per year) as a key metric for progress.
• Qualitative Indicator for Target 16.1: The listing of numerous global conflicts (Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, etc.) and humanitarian crises serves as a qualitative indicator of the failure to reduce violence and conflict-related deaths (related to Indicator 16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population).
• Qualitative Indicator for Target 16.8 & 17.16: The article’s focus on the Security Council being “divided, unable or unwilling to act” and the call for its expansion and reform serve as qualitative indicators of the current state of global governance and partnerships. Progress would be measured by the implementation of such reforms.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: news.un.org