African leaders take bold stand for sustainable development at UN Assembly.

World leaders made an historic global promise to secure the rights and well-being of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet when they agreed to the 2030 Agenda and the 17 SDGs in 2015.

However, at midpoint of SDG implementation, the SDGs are in peril. Tens of millions have fallen into poverty since 2020. Over 110 million people are forcibly displaced. Inequalities have worsened, strikingly so for women and girls.

Many governments are forced to choose between debt payments and investing in healthcare and education.

The climate emergency is wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods. Developing countries and the world's most vulnerable people continue to bear the brunt of these crises.

'The SDGs aren't just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere,' said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. 'Yet today, only 15 per cent of the targets are on track. Many are going in reverse. Instead of leaving no one behind, we risk leaving the SDGs behind.'

The Political Declaration

Leaders adopted a decisive, action-oriented political declaration at the Summit, highlighting their collective commitment to build a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous world by 2030.

With a strong focus on the means of implementation, and in particular, on financing for development, the declaration acknowledges that without a quantum leap in investments to enable just and equitable energy, food, digital transitions, and a transformation in education and robust social protection in developing countries, the goals simply will not be met.

Additionally, the Declaration urges immediate action to deliver an SDG Stimulus proposed by the UN Secretary-General, which calls for a massive increase in financing for the achievement of the SDGs to the tune of $500 billion each year.

It also conveys strong support from all countries for a much-needed reform of the international financial architecture to better reflect today's global economy.

'I am deeply encouraged by the detailed and wide-ranging draft political declaration under consideration here today - especially its commitment to improving developing countries' access to the fuel required for SDG progress: finance. This can be a game-changer in accelerating SDG progress,' stated the Secretary-General.

Global and National Commitments

Over 100 Countries will present national commitments to SDG Transformation that include priority transitions and areas for investment, setting national...