The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
These 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals, while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. The goals are interconnected – often the key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another.
The SDGs work in the spirit of partnership and pragmatism to make the right choices now to improve life, in a sustainable way, for future generations. They provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to adopt in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world at large. The SDGs are an inclusive agenda. They tackle the root causes of poverty and unite us together to make a positive change for both people and planet. “Supporting the 2030 Agenda is a top priority for UNDP,” said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark. “The SDGs provide us with a common plan and agenda to tackle some of the pressing challenges facing our world such as poverty, climate change and conflict. UNDP has the experience and expertise to drive progress and help support countries on the path to sustainable development.”
For more information on the background of the SDGs, click here.
SINGAPORE’S APPROACH TO THE SDGs
Singapore supports the 2030 Agenda and the 17 SDGs. As a small country with limited land and no natural resources, Singapore appreciates the challenges of sustainable development. This is why we participated actively in the negotiations on the 2030 Agenda and welcome the consensus reached.
From our own development experience, we understand that there is no single model of development that is applicable to all. Thus, we believe that the SDGs should focus on bringing concrete and substantive improvements, and that countries should be free to pursue the goals in whatever manner they choose.
SINGAPORE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE SDGs
Singapore has been sharing our experience on sustainable development with fellow developing countries through technical assistance under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). Since 1992, we have trained more than 100,000 officials in areas such as sustainable urban management and water management. Nonetheless, the unprecedented scale and ambition of the 2030 Agenda require renewed commitment and enhanced partnership from all stakeholders.
To support our fellow developing countries in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, Singapore launched the Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) under the SCP. We aim to do this by building capacity at three levels:
1. Collaborating with the Singapore-based UN Development Programme Global Centre for Public Service Excellence to jointly offer programmes on good governance and public sector leadership for senior officials. We conducted the first run of this programme titled “Transformational Leadership for the 2030 Agenda” from 16 to 20 May 2016 and have committed to support additional runs.
2. Developing a multi-year capacity building programme on sustainable urbanisation.
3. Partnering reputable Singaporean NGOs to conduct pilot projects in water and sanitation in regional countries.