SDG Summit Side event – One World, Shared Goals: Collaborative Actions for SDG Implementation

The world is at a critical juncture in its efforts to meet the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The 17 interconnected goals highlight the breadth of sustainability, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. However, as we approach 2030, the progress across many of the goals remains uneven and, in some areas, far too slow. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing inequalities and vulnerabilities, threatening to reverse hard-won gains. Given this dire situation, urgent action is needed to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

In this context, the crucial importance of SDG 17 – ‘Partnership for the Goals’ – becomes strikingly clear. Partnerships between governments, the private sector, civil society, children, youth, and students are essential for mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources to support the achievement of the SDGs. Such inclusive partnerships are built upon shared principles and values, mutual respect, and a common vision. Partnerships are the key to transformative change.

This side event at the SDG Action Weekend seeks to explore and emphasize this transformative potential. As a joint endeavor by diverse stakeholders, the event reflects the spirit of SDG 17 itself. It brings together partners from the education sector, private industry, government, children,  youth and student organizations, all of whom bring unique perspectives and resources to the table. Together, they will explore the opportunities and best practices for building effective partnerships for the SDGs.

Drawing upon youth engagement process underway for the SDG Summit, Climate Ambition Summit and other multilateral processes, the side event will feature youth and stakeholders recommendations, with an intersection on partnerships. However, the aim is not merely to highlight the importance of partnerships but to illustrate, through concrete examples, how they can work in practice. The event will showcase successful initiatives and highlight new ones that are poised to drive progress toward the SDGs. In particular, this event will focus on the transformative power of education and the pivotal role of young people. Intergenerational dialogue is not just a matter of equity or representation; it is a source of innovative ideas and a driving force for change.

We believe that by engaging and empowering children and youth, we can infuse new energy into our collective efforts to achieve the SDGs.

In this era of global challenges, we are convinced that the SDGs can only be achieved through shared effort, shared responsibility, and shared leadership. This side event at the SDG Action Weekend is a step towards building more inclusive, effective, and sustainable partnerships for the SDGs.

Objectives 

• Highlighting with concrete examples the importance of partnering with educational institutions, private sectors, governments, children, youth and students to achieve the SDGs
• Highlighting with concrete examples on how partnerships could drive  inclusive and sustainable climate action, agrifood systems transformation, educational transformation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Accentuate the dynamic role of civil society in spurring change and driving SDG progress. We aim to stress the value of nurturing robust relationships with civil society organizations and how such collaborations can strengthen advocacy, accountability, and effectiveness in SDG implementation.
• Discussing concrete examples of upcoming initiatives that will be taking place that align with the work of the partners and the focus of the event/the SDG summit

Agenda and more information:  here

Live: UN WEB TV link: https://media.un.org/en/webtv/schedule/2023-09-16

Contact: sideevent-sdgsummit@unmgcy.org