An historic and (brief) celebratory moment... and now for the hard work

The United Nations is on the verge of adopting a far-reaching, ambitious set of social, economic and environmental goals that will impact on everyone and every corner of the world.

News | 24 September 2015
NEW YORK - In the early light of day, just as one of the busiest cities in the world wakes up, an army of workers are energetically putting in place a complex set security measures, rerouting pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns and positioning critical assets all in advance of a momentous occasion that will draw tens of thousands of VIPs, government officials, UN staff, civil society organizations, celebrities and observers, and will have lasting global implications.

Welcome to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In addition to the normal swirl of activity associated with convening this annual meeting at the United Nations in New York, the General Assembly - the most globally representative and highest deliberative body - will feature a UN Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda (25 -27 September 2015) and a special address by His Holiness Pope Francis to the Heads of State/Government and Ministers of the 193 Member States. It is an unprecedented gathering.

In his opening statement to the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft (Denmark), President of the 70th Session, said that a major priority for all governments is to ensure that all actors move swiftly to deliver on the promises being made for sustainable development.

“The summit, of course, marks only the beginning,” Mr. Lykketoft said. “There is an urgent need for action right across the three pillars of the UN and ample opportunities to do so during this session. […] An ambitious and universal climate agreement is an absolute must and the first real test of the world community’s ability to deliver the necessary policy tools for sustainable development.”

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which will be adopted during a special summit at UN Headquarters, consists of 17 sustainable development goals (SDG) and 169 targets that will encapsulate the new universal development vision for people and planet for the twenty-first century. These goals will stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance towards building a more equitable and sustainable world for all.

Echoing this message was Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who stated at a press conference that the upcoming adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development “embodies the yearnings of people everywhere for lives of dignity on a healthy planet” and which “shows what Member States can achieve when they work together.”

One of the central goals of the SDGs, which impacts widely on and can help create conditions for the achievement of many of these goals and targets, is the inclusion of sustainable, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all. The promotion of decent work for all is mentioned as an essential component of the action plan for humanity, which includes measures to increase youth employment and combat child and forced labour, enhance skills, empower women and increase productivity and productive employment.

The SDGs also reaffirm the need to respect, protect and promote fundamental freedoms for all and recognize the relevance of social protection and the positive contribution of migrants to inclusive growth and sustainable development.

In speaking about the importance of the new development vision, Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), said that the SDGs provide a “once-in-a-generation chance to make a change and improve the lives of billions”.

“Decent work puts money in the pockets of individuals and families that they can spend in the local economy. Their purchasing power fuels the growth and development of sustainable enterprises, especially smaller businesses, which in turn are able to hire more workers and improve their pay and conditions. It increases tax revenues for governments, who can then fund social measures to protect those who cannot find, or are unable to work” stated Mr. Ryder.

As we ready ourselves for the historic moment when the President of the General Assembly gavels the adoption of this new transformative vision - developed over the last three years through countless meetings, gathering, listening tours, discussions and contributions through web sites and social media connections - the work of all stakeholders will begin in earnest.

With high expectations and the well-being of billions of people hanging in the balance, the UN and the extensive network of partnerships necessary to deliver on such an ambitious undertaking will need to take positive, concrete steps from day one. If we are truly up to the task - with a rights-based, human-centred approach leading the way - we may very well be able to transform our world and live up to the hopes and needs of people everywhere.

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How will you help to achieve the #SDGs at work? @ILO wants to know. #Work4SDGs