At the Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015, UN Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 Goals build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. The goals are interconnected – often the key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another.
The SDGs work in the spirit of partnership and pragmatism to make the right choices now to improve life, in a sustainable way, for future generations. They provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to adopt in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world at large. The SDGs are an inclusive agenda. They tackle the root causes of poverty and unite us together to make a positive change for both people and planet. “Poverty eradication is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, and so is the commitment to leave no-one behind.
The SDGs are a bold commitment to finish what we started, and tackle some of the more pressing challenges facing the world today. All 17 Goals interconnect, meaning success in one affects success for others. Dealing with the threat of climate change impacts how we manage our fragile natural resources, achieving gender equality or better health helps eradicate poverty, and fostering peace and inclusive societies will reduce inequalities and help economies prosper. In short, this is the greatest chance we have to improve life for future generations. Pakistan Sustainable Development Goals
Pakistan has displayed commendable commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as it was one of the first countries to endorse it globally in 2015. On 16th February 2016, the Parliament unanimously approved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the national development agenda. It also formed the Parliamentary SDGs Secretariat based at the National Assembly – one of the few countries to do so. This process of legislation was the first and crucial step in mainstreaming and localizing the SDGs.
The process of localizing the SDGs in Pakistan has been more than just agreeing to formal arrangements with government partners. It has also been an inclusive process relying on evidence based solutions to transform abstract SDG aspirations into real and objective targets for all stakeholders, including local actors. The 18th constitutional amendment devolved several public functions including the provision of social services from the federal to the provincial governments. The government of Pakistan conducted discussions on the post-Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with all stakeholders for coordinating and strengthening efforts at federal and provincial levels to achieve Pakistan's sustainable development and poverty reduction targets. The consultation process emphasized the need for national categorisation of SDGs, improved data collection and enforcement of monitoring mechanisms.
The seven pillars of Vision-2025 are fully aligned with the SDGs, providing a comprehensive long-term strategy for achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development. National Initiative for Sustainable Development Goals
Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (MoP&SI), Government of Pakistan, Planning & Development Departments of provincial governments with the support of UNDP – Pakistan has launched a five years joint project of “National Initiative for Sustainable Development Goals to institutionalise 2030 Agenda.
At the national level Federal SDGs Support Unit was established at the ministry with mandate to ensure early instutionalisation of SDGs to provide coordination and advisory to respective ministries and line departments.Technical experts of relevant fields are part of the unit including Social Advisor, Economic Advisor, I.T/ Data Analyst, Research Analyst, M&E Officer, Admin & Finance Officer and Communications Specialist.
The initiative brings together the planning, financing and statistical institutions to work collectively to lay foundation of SDGs implementation in the country.
The institutional mechanism for coordination & oversight and management arrangements can be well explained through the below mentioned overall structure of the project:
Unit is workingon the following activities to support SDGs implementation.
Policies and Plans
Data Reporting
Financing
Innovation Mainstreaming SDGs in local development plans and strategies clearly delineating the resource requirements Strengthening coordination, reporting and monitoring mechanisms for SDGs Financing flows increasingly aligned with 2030 Agenda Supporting integrated and innovative approaches to accelerate progress on SDGs on priority areas
The Unit is actively undertaking coordination, reporting, and monitoring progress towards SDGs, and providing policy, research, and knowledge management support for SDGs. At the same time, the team is working towards enhanced awareness raising amongst stakeholders about Agenda 2030 and sustainable development goals through engagement using multiple communication activities and tools. SDGs Section, Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives (MoP&SI)
A dedicated SDGs Section has been formed at the federal level in the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (MoP&SI) to monitor and to coordinate as a national coordinating entity.
UNDP is supporting the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (MoP&SI), Government of Pakistan for localizing the SDGs by applying UNDG MAPS approach focusing following four project outputs:
Mainstreaming SDGs in Plans, Policies and Resource Allocation aligned to 2030 Agenda SDGs monitoring, reporting and evaluation capacities strengthened Financing flows increasingly aligned with 2030 Agenda Innovative approaches applied to accelerate progress on priority SDGs
Collectively, all partners can support communication of the new agenda, strengthening partnerships for implementation, and filling in the gaps in available data for monitoring and review.
SDG Goals
17 Goals Priority-I Priority-II Priority-III