New York: With the clock ticking down to 2030, world leaders gathered at the Economic and Social Council’s high-level segment to address the uneven progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the need for global solidarity in the face of shrinking national budgets and rising nationalism. The forum, which features a three-day ministerial meeting, is centered around advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda.

According to EMM, Bob Rae, President of the 54-member Council, underscored the importance of doubling down on global solidarity and mutual obligations, reminding attendees that the 2030 Agenda was crafted a decade ago with a collective vision. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted recent global achievements, including the Pandemic Agreement in Geneva and commitments to marine conservation at the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice. He stressed the necessity for immediate actions such as a Gaza ceasefire, humanitarian access, and peace in conflict zones like Ukraine and Sudan.

The forum also heard from Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly, who pointed out that only 35% of SDG targets are on track, with nearly half progressing slowly and 18% regressing. He emphasized the need for science and evidence-based solutions to drive progress and urged member states to recommit to the 2030 Agenda.

Carolina Rojas, representing the Major Group for Children and Youth, called for systemic reforms rather than mere inclusion, urging formal co-leadership in UN processes and highlighting the necessity of integrating migrant youth into the workforce. She also called for investments to make gender equality a reality, ensuring access to healthcare and labor protections.

Government leaders, including Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland, and Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, discussed their countries’ progress and challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda. Orpo stressed the necessity of multilateralism, while Nabbanja highlighted Uganda’s localized SDG efforts. The forum also provided an opportunity for leaders like Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister, Muhammed Ali Tamim, to reassess the UN’s role in its 80th year.

The assembly addressed key issues such as climate change, healthcare, and justice, with specific calls for sustainable ocean management from Joyelle Clarke of Saint Kitts and Nevis and a renewed focus on fighting tuberculosis from Indonesia’s Febrian Alfianto Ruddyard. The vulnerabilities of least developed countries were spotlighted by Nepal’s Shiva Raj Adhikari, emphasizing the need for economic growth.

The forum stressed the importance of justice in development, with Luis Madera from the Dominican Republic highlighting the economic cost of neglecting justice and the potential for unrest and erosion of trust in institutions.

With the 2030 Agenda deadline looming, the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council has ignited a call for collective action, urging member states to harness science, solidarity, and shared commitments to ensure no one is left behind.