The 17 SDGs
PHILIPSBURG-- A Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) flag was hoisted at the Government Building in Philipsburg and at municipalities, libraries, universities, companies, government buildings, etc., around the Netherlands today, Friday to mark the fifth year since SDGs were adopted.
On September 25, 2015, 193 United Nations member states adopted the 2030 SDG Agenda with, at its core, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The agenda is a non-binding declaration that addresses all current global ecological, social and economic challenges – from multidimensional poverty and intersectional inequality to climate change, responsible consumption and production, and conflict prevention.
The SDGs are 17 goals with 169 targets. The overarching principle of the SDGs is to Leave No One Behind (LNOB). The SDG-flag campaign is themed “Together for the SDGs.”
“On the 25th of September 2020, it is exactly five years since the SDGs were adopted. There are 10 years left to reach the goals, so we have entered the decade of action. As a government, we join this initiative to commemorate the SDGs by hoisting the SDG flag, to draw attention to the importance of the SDGs and of partnerships for the 2030 agenda,” a press release from Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs stated.
“The current realities facing not only St. Maarten but the world, underline the importance of achieving the SDGs, but also threaten to limit their progress. Five years after their adoption, it is therefore important to show our commitment to continue our efforts to reach the goals. Let this moment be the kick-off for a Decade of Action to reach the goals in 2030,” it was stated in the release.
To highlight specific SDGs and the work that is being done in the community to achieve SDGs, “SDG champions” have been selected and were to be presented with a certificate of appreciation by Jacobs after the flag hoisting ceremony, which was set for 8:00am.
