A bold new global agenda to end poverty by 2030 and pursue a sustainable future has been unanimously adopted by the 193 member states of the United Nations.
This happened at the start of a three-day summit on sustainable development.
The historic adoption of the new Sustainable Development Agenda, with 17 global goals at its core, was met with a thunderous standing ovation from delegations that included many of the more than 150 world leaders who will be addressing the summit.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is attending the summit, will also later address the assembly.
Ushering in a new era of national action and international cooperation, the new agenda commits every country to take a range of actions that will not only address the root causes of poverty, but will also increase economic growth and prosperity and meet people’s health, education and social needs, while at the same time protecting the environment.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the summit, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the new agenda is a promise by leaders to all people everywhere.
He termed it as a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world.
“It is an agenda for people, to end poverty in all its forms. It is an agenda for shared prosperity, peace and partnership that conveys the urgency of climate action and is rooted in gender equality and respect for the rights of all. Above all, it pledges to leave no one behind.” He said.
Mr Ban said the true test of commitment to Agenda 2030 would be implementation.
“We need action from everyone, everywhere. Seventeen sustainable development goals are our guide. They are a to-do list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success,” He said.
-AFP
