- 1 -
Joint statement by High-Level Group in support of implementation of 2030 Agenda
The heads of state and government who last year formed an informal High-Level Group to maintain political support at the top level for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda adopted a joint statement today. This statement to today’s meeting on the 2030 Agenda in the UN General Assembly sends a joint message about the importance of leadership and involving civil society in the work of achieving the Global Goals.
"Implementing the 2030 Agenda and its Global Goals for sustainable development is crucial if we are to improve people's lives and at the same time protect our planet. I have convened an informal group of heads of state and government from all around the world who have begun their national efforts to achieve the Goals, and we are now urging others to begin implementation," says Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.
Joint statement on the occasion of the general assembly meeting on implementation of the 2030 agenda in New York on 21 april 2016:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is our common undertaking for the future of our people, our planet and our prosperity. This agenda is the result of global consultations and the goals translate the aspirations of the people around the world. It will be truly transformative for our world if it is implemented effectively and universally.
We, members of the informal High-Level Group in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, are convinced that political leadership, partnership and responsibility at the highest level are necessary to achieve all the sustainable development goals by 2030. Through such commitment we can empower our societies to pull together efforts at all levels and across all sectors.
Aware of our responsibility in implementing the 2030 Agenda at all levels, our governments are already engaged in this process, and we call upon others to join us. The SDGs can only be achieved with effective policies and action at all levels being geared towards their implementation, and through a strong
- 2 -
global partnership. While taking into account national and regional challenges and priorities, we believe that national strategies for implementation must focus on a comprehensive approach to the entire integrated Agenda with full recognition of the synergies among its goals and targets. The 2030 Agenda must form an integral part of the overarching political program of each country. Global implementation requires broad consultation, engagement and partnership with all stakeholders - civil society, the private sector, trade unions and academia. Everyone needs to do their share.
As a group, we are committed to lead by example and do our part. We have started to carry out concrete actions to ensure that this global vision is effectively put into motion. In our countries, consultations with stakeholders are being held, goals and indicators are being analysed. Sustainable development strategies and implementation plans have already been or are being developed on national and local levels. Some of us have launched the national implementation work through broad conferences; some have formed national secretariats or steering committees, while others have appointed multi-stakeholder committees to spur implementation efforts. We are also engaged in conversations with our peers - leaders of other countries - sharing experiences and learning from each other. We engage in regional workshops and dialogues on implementation.
We look forward to continued exchange with all our colleagues on how to make national and local implementation effective, transformative and irreversible, as well as on how to best mobilise the necessary means of implementation. We have made a personal pledge to embody the required leadership and encourage all other leaders to join us in this commitment and to leave no one behind.
Members of the High-Level Support Group:
HE President Dilma Rousseff (Brasil)
HE President Juan Manuel Santos (Colombia) HE Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (Germany)
- 3 - HE President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia) HE President Jacob Zuma (South Africa) HE Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (Sweden)
HE Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo (Timor-Leste) HE President Beji Caid Essebsi (Tunisia)
