United Nations Day: Accelerating the SDGs

Halfway to the SDG deadline, the UN Day commemoration underlined the importance of collaborative efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

A special panel discussion “From Economic Growth to Shared Prosperity: Reality Check after the SDG Summit and Vision for the Future” focused on Georgia’s progress on decent jobs creation and decentralization and discussed forward-looking strategies for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provision of equal opportunities for all.

The panel discussion brought together government officials, think tanks, civil society (including organizations of persons with disabilities), academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to facilitate discussion on how to ensure that economic models and policy processes are revamped at scale for SDG acceleration and for transforming Georgia’s economic growth at the macroeconomic level into shared prosperity. The diversity of involved individuals enriched the dialogue and the exchange of perspectives. Speaking at the event, United Nations Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl noted that economic growth is not an end goal in itself, but one of enablers of meaningful improvements in the lives of people, including reducing poverty and achieving other development goals. She  highlighted the urgent need for action and collaboration to achieve the SDGs.

The central focus of another panel discussion organized by the United Nations in Georgia in partnership with the Georgian-American University (GAU) and the Kant’s Academy has revolved around SDG 4 – quality education. UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl, President of the Georgian-American University (GAU) R. Michael Cowgill, and prominent representatives of the Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, Caucasus University, and the University of Georgia took stock of where we are in terms of progress towards SDG 4, shared knowledge about good practices and suggested ways forward to expedite the achievement the SDGs.

The role of young people in accelerating efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals was the primary focus of the discussion between UN Resident Coordinator, Sabine Machl and members of the youth organization ‘Civic Engagement and Activism Center’ held on October 25 at the UN House in Tbilisi.

In celebration of UN Day, the United Nations in Georgia also unveiled the multifunctional SDG Spaces at the Gori State Teaching University and the Georgian-American University (GAU) on October 24 and 25, respectively. The initiative implemented in partnership with the Education and International Development Academy and the Kant’s Academy aims at empowering young people with the skills and opportunities to advance their vision of a sustainable future.

“We at the United Nations are happy to have contributed to the country to reduce poverty and inequality. We focus on promoting climate action and justice and provide life-saving relief to the vulnerable and disadvantaged. The SDG Summit, which was held in September 2023, reaffirmed  that we all stand  united to leave no one behind, even in dire circumstances. On this United Nations Day, let us renew our commitment to build an inclusive and prosperous future, leaving no one behind.  Only together can we push for peace to rescue our Global Goals for people and planet,” said Dr. Sabine Machl in her video message on United Nation Day.