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TECHx
2 days ago
- Business
- TECHx
UAE Unveils 2045 SDG Report at UN HLPF in New York
Home » Latest news » UAE Unveils 2045 SDG Report at UN HLPF in New York The UAE has announced the launch of the 2025 edition of the 2045 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report. The announcement was made during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2025, held at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City. The HLPF is organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and serves as the UN's central platform for reviewing progress on SDGs. Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs, welcomed high-level attendees to the launch event. Dignitaries present included: Savanna Maziya, Minister of ICT, Kingdom of Eswatini Victor Verdon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paraguay Seema Sami Iskander Bahouth, Executive Director, UN Women Eliot Minchenberg, Director, UNESCO Office for Communication in New York Benjiran Herani Tajuddin, Permanent Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the UN Tsvai Yelma Sabo, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, UAE Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered the opening speech. The report, created by the National Committee on SDGs 2025, is based on the outcomes of the ministerial session held at the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025. It also includes insights from the 2045 SDG roundtable at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025 and the UAE-led 2045 SDG Global Survey. The report is titled 'Envisioning 2045: Comprehensive Pathways towards Sustainable Development.' It outlines five key priorities: Redefining SDGs for 2045 Future-proofing societies and economies Enhancing global leadership cooperation Accelerating development transformation Establishing global commitment to future goals The UAE delegation presented survey findings from 55 countries across diverse age groups and academic fields. The results showed that 94.7% of respondents supported expanding the definition of progress beyond economic indicators. Also, 85.4% agreed that citizen involvement boosts SDG success, and 70% supported cross-sector collaboration in sustainable development. The report stresses the importance of AI, circular economies, and responsible innovation. It calls for embedding foresight in policy and involving youth, women, and vulnerable groups in shaping future goals. The report also reflects on the SDGs in Action initiative, launched in 2016 at WGS in Dubai, as a vital platform for advancing global dialogue. At the HLPF, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to five focus SDGs for 2025: SDG3 (health), SDG5 (gender equality), SDG8 (economic growth), SDG14 (life below water), and SDG17 (partnerships). These efforts revolve around innovation, partnerships, and strategic insight. Abdulla Nasser Lootah described the report as a critical milestone in global sustainable development. He said it builds on evidence and practical solutions and seeks to define a forward-looking SDG framework. He stated, 'This report reflects the UAE's approach – anticipating challenges, strengthening global partnerships, and designing innovative solutions grounded in research, data, and evidence.' Lootah revealed that although official UN discussions on post-2030 goals will begin in 2027, the UAE started engaging international leaders in 2023. He highlighted that over 170 global leaders have participated in shaping the 2045 vision through platforms like the SDGs in Action Forum. The report stands as a strategic contribution to the global development agenda, reinforcing the UAE's leadership in promoting innovation, foresight, and inclusive progress toward 2045.
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mid East Info
UAE shapes sustainable development future through 2045 SDG report and global survey - Middle East Business News and Information
Report outlines five priorities for global development post-2030, backed by insights from a 55-country survey and grounded in UAE-led foresight and international cooperation. 20245 SDG Global Survey finds: 94.7% support moving beyond economic indicators, 85.4% support participatory policymaking, 70% back cross-sector approaches, 67.8% support regionally adaptable goals, and 64.9% believe AI and digitisation are more impactful than traditional policies. Dubai- New York, UN,July 2025: The UAE launched the 2025 edition of the 2045 SDG Report at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City, as part of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2025, organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. This took place at the headquarters of the United Nations, where H.E. Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, Chair of the National Committee on SDGs welcomed the high-level attendees of the launch event, which included Her Excellency Savanna Maziya, Minister of Information and Communication Technology of the Kingdom of Eswatini, His Excellency Victor Verdon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Paraguay, Her Excellency Seema Sami Iskander Bahouth, Executive Director of UN Women, His Excellency Eliot Minchenberg, Director of the UNESCO Office for Communication in New York and UNESCO Representative to the United Nations, Her Excellency Benjiran Herani Tajuddin, Permanent Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the United Nations, and Her Excellency Tsvai Yelma Sabo, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations, while the opening speech was delivered by H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN. Created by the National Committee on SDGs 2025, the report builds on outcomes from the ministerial session held at the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025, in addition to recommendations from the high-level 2045 SDG roundtable held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, and survey responses from the 2045 SDG Global Survey. During the forum, the UAE delegation also presented findings from the UAE-led 2045 SDG Global Survey, which gathered insights from participants across 55 countries, spanning a wide range of age groups and academic disciplines. Redefining Global Development Goals 2045: Titled 'Envisioning 2045: Comprehensive Pathways towards Sustainable Development,' the report outlines five key priorities: redefining SDGs for 2045; proactively future-proofing economies and societies; enhancing global cooperation at the leadership level; accelerating the transition of global development to a new phase; and establishing a shared international commitment to the future development agenda. The report positions the transition from current SDGs to a future-ready global framework as a necessary transformation that must be proactive, innovative, agile, and equipped to address emerging challenges. It also urges governments to embed future foresight into policymaking, calls on the private sector to help shape sustainable development through AI, circular economies, and responsible innovation, and encourages international organisations to apply lessons learned from the current SDGs to build inclusive and adaptable frameworks. The report emphasises the need to empower communities and individuals – especially women, youth, and vulnerable groups – to take an active role in contributing to the development agenda and shaping the future. It also highlights milestones from the SDGs in Action initiative, organised by WGS in Dubai in 2016, as a platform for advancing global dialogue and collaboration. The report's release at UN HLPF reflects the UAE's broader commitment to accelerating SDG progress, particularly in the five focus areas of this year's forum: SDG3, SDG5, SDG8, SDG14, and SDG17. These efforts are centred on three core pillars: innovation, partnerships, and strategic insight. Proactive Approach to Shaping Development Goals: His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Secretariat on SDGs, described the report as a pivotal milestone in shaping the next twenty years of global sustainable development. He emphasised its foundation in practical pathways for international cooperation and its aim to define more comprehensive and impactful global goals. H.E. Lootah said, 'This report reflects the UAE's approach – anticipating challenges, strengthening global partnerships, and designing innovative solutions grounded in research, data, and evidence.' He added: 'The UAE is committed to building early global consensus on the 2045 SDG framework, building on lessons learned from the 2030 goals to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.' H.E. Lootah noted that while UN's official discussions on post-2030 development goals will begin in 2027, the UAE has already engaged international thought leaders since 2023. Platforms such as the SDGs in Action Forum at WGS have so far convened over 170 global leaders to shape this vision. The report stands as a strategic contribution to the future international development agenda, reflecting the UAE's role as a pioneer in advancing global sustainable development through evidence-based, practical initiatives that anticipate the future and serve humanity. UAE Call for More Resilient and Inclusive Development Goals: The UAE delegation also presented findings from the 2045 SDG Global Survey, which gathered insights from participants across 55 countries, spanning a wide range of age groups and academic disciplines. The results highlighted a strong global appetite for rethinking how progress is defined, implemented, and measured beyond 2030. 94.7% of respondents supported expanding the definition of progress to go beyond conventional economic growth indicators. Additionally, 85.4% stated that engaging people in decision-making and policymaking increases their level of engagement and participation in achieving SDGs. The survey further indicated that 70% of participants backed a collaborative, cross-sector approach to sustainable development that is not limited to the government's role. Another 67.8% supported the establishment of flexible development goals that can be adapted to regional contexts and priorities. Furthermore, 64.9% of respondents expressed the belief that AI and digitisation will surpass traditional policies in terms of impact and effectiveness in driving results. UN High-Level Political Forum: The HLPF on Sustainable Development is the UN's central platform for reviewing and advancing SDGs. Established in 2012, the forum plays a pivotal role in monitoring national and international progress on the 2030 Agenda. Participating delegations at HLPF conduct assessments of progress toward the SDGs, with this year's forum featuring in-depth reviews of five priority goals: SDG3 (ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages); SDG5 (achieving equality and empowering all women and girls); SDG8 (promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all); SDG14 conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development); and SDG17 (strengthening and revitalising the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
Al Etihad
13-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE reaffirms its support for global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals
13 July 2025 14:41 DUBAI / NEW YORK (WAM)The United Arab Emirates delegation will participate in the upcoming 2025 United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) at UN Headquarters in New delegation will showcase the UAE's comprehensive development model, reaffirming its commitment to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through multinational UAE delegation will focus on five priority goals:Goal 3 – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all agesGoal 5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girlsGoal 8 – promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent opportunities for allGoal 14 – conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resourcesGoal 17 – strengthening global partnerships for sustainable developmentThe UAE delegation includes members from the UAE's National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Investment, The Government Experience Exchange Programme, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and Noor Dubai Foundation under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, in coordination with the UAE's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, reaffirmed that UAE's participation reflects its international commitment to advancing the 2030 SDGs in innovation, technology, and smart governance. He emphasised the importance of expanding global partnerships in knowledge and development the sidelines of HLPF, the UAE delegation will organise a focused global retreat to discuss current challenges and explore future opportunities, alongside a dedicated exhibition showcasing the UAE's progress and achievements in accelerating the implementation of the SDGs both locally and globally. In addition, the delegation will highlight initiatives in clean energy, digital transformation, education, and part of the preparations for the UAE's participation, the National Committee on the SDGs held an extensive meeting to assess the readiness of the delegation, and review progress on the implementation of the SDGs. The meeting explored opportunities to expand international cooperation, and sign new agreements during the forum. Held under the theme - 'Reinforcing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions to deliver the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, leaving no one behind' - the 2025 forum will run from July 14 -23, 2025 with a total of 37 countries presenting their voluntary national reviews on the progress made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to date.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4): A must-know for UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget on major outcomes of FfD4. (Relevance: Important conferences and summits are important from both the Prelims and Mains perspective of the UPSC exam.) Recently, the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) was held from 30 June – 3 July in Seville, Spain. A Sevilla Commitment was adopted ahead of the start of the Conference, which laid down a path to close the $4 trillion annual SDG financing gap in developing countries. However, the USA, one of the largest economies, skipped the Conference. This Conference was supported by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), through its Financing for Sustainable Development Office, and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). 1. Financing for development (FfD) is an ongoing process to align financial flows and policies with economic, social, and environmental priorities. In 1997, the Agenda for Development was adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which called for consideration of holding an international conference on FfD. 2. According to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, a division of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), 'the first International Conference on Financing for Development took place in 2002 in Monterrey, Mexico. The resulting Monterrey Consensus 'resolved to address the challenges of financing for development' and 'to eradicate poverty, achieve sustained economic growth and promote sustainable development.' 3. In 2008, a follow-up conference was held in Doha, Qatar. Building on this, the third Conference on Financing for Development adopted the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015. It included a policy framework to realign financial flows to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ten years after Addis Ababa, the FfD conference was held in Spain. Financing is the engine of development. And right now, this engine is sputtering. – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres statement at opening of 4th FfD4 4. Many countries face escalating debt burdens, declining investments, decreasing international aid, and increasing trade barriers. The Conference is seen as an opportunity to close the staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap, promoting development, bringing millions of people out of poverty, and helping achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which are currently lagging. 5. Last year, 3.3 billion people were living in countries that pay more interest on their debts than they spend on health or education, and the number will increase to 3.4 billion people this year, according to Grynspan. And developing countries will pay $947 billion to service debts this year, up from $847 billion last year. 1. Building on the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Sevilla Commitment reaffirms adherence to realizing sustainable development, including effectively implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and upholding all principles enshrined in it. 2. With the approaching deadline of SDGs, the Sevilla Commitment charts a path on three fronts: catalyzing investment at scale for sustainable development, addressing the debt and development crisis, and reforming the international financial architecture. 3. Under the Sevilla Platform for Action, 'new financing mechanisms were announced to tackle unsustainable debt burdens, and additional initiatives aimed to enhance crisis response and climate resilience, expand access to social protection and support local and digital economies, among others,' according to the UN press release. 4. A Debt Swaps for Development Hub initiative led by Spain and the World Bank was launched. It aims to strengthen capacity and enhance collaboration to scale up debt swaps and lower debt service burdens. 5. Along with this, a Debt-for-Development Swap Programme by Italy that will convert 230 million Euros of debt obligations of African countries into investments in development projects and a Sevilla Forum on Debt to help countries learn from one another and coordinate their approaches in debt management and restructuring were announced. 6. Led by Brazil and Spain, an Effective Taxation of High-Net-Worth Individuals initiative was launched to ensure high-net-worth individuals pay their fair share. India had made an uncharacteristically strong criticism of the Baku agreement, calling the final agreed amount 'abysmally poor' and 'paltry'. It has been said that the lack of adequate finance was not just an abdication of responsibility by the developed countries, but also a major setback to global climate action. 1. A few days before the start of the FfD4, the World Bank published a Report titled 'Foreign Direct Investment in Retreat', pointing out that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into developing countries had fallen to $435 billion in 2023, the lowest in nearly 20 years. It warns that rising trade and investment barriers pose a 'significant threat to global efforts to mobilise financing for development. 2. According to M. Ayhan Kose, the World Bank Group's Deputy Chief Economist, the sharp drop in FDI for developing countries 'should sound alarm bells'. Reversing the trend, Kose said, was not just an 'economic imperative' but also 'essential for job creation, sustained growth, and achieving broader development goals'. 3. According to the Report, the prolonged and widespread investment weakness in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) has contributed to a large backlog of unmet infrastructure needs. 4. Weak investment growth is undermining efforts to achieve key development goals, including tackling climate change and accelerating the energy transition, and reducing poverty and inequality. By some estimates, EMDEs need to invest at least an additional 1.4 percent of GDP through 2030 just to address climate change and the energy transition. 5. Among EMDEs, China has been the biggest receiver of FDI from 2012 to 2023, accounting for nearly one-third of these inflows. Brazil was second at 10 per cent and India third at 6 per cent, the World Bank said. 6. While data for the 2023 calendar year is the latest available at a global level, FDI into India as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data increased to $81.04 billion in 2024-25 from $71.28 billion in 2023-24. However, net FDI into India – which adjusts the gross FDI number by deducting the funds repatriated by foreign investors and the investments made by Indian entities abroad – fell to just $353 million in the last fiscal from $10.13 billion in 2023-24. Consider the following statements about the International Conference on Financing for Development: 1. The first International Conference on Financing for Development took place in Doha, Qatar. 2. The Sevilla Commitment was signed by the USA, UK, France, Germany, and Italy. 3. The Effective Taxation of High-Net-Worth Individuals initiative was launched by Brazil and Spain. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? (a) 2 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3 (Source: US skips global UN meeting aimed at raising trillions of dollars to combat poverty, 'Alarm bells' for developing nations as 2023 FDI lowest since 2005 – World Bank) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at
GMA Network
30-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PH bags UN E-Government Award for improved digital governance
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for E-Government David Almirol Jr. receives the UN E-Government Award for the Philippines from officials of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) during the 2025 UN Public Service Forum held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in June 2025. Courtesy: UNDESA via RTVM The Philippines was recognized by the United Nations for its progress in digital governance. The country's ranking in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) has improved from 2022 to 2024, a UN report stated. The UN E-Government Award was conferred to the Philippines by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) during the 2025 UN Public Service Forum held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It was indicated in the report that the Philippines has improved its classification from 'High' to 'Very High' after increasing its spot in the EGDI global ranking. Further, its rank also moved from 'High' to 'Very High' in the Online Service Index (OSI) after achieving an increase of over 15% between 2022 and 2024. ''These countries have made significant progress in their digital transformation journeys, focusing on enhancing their telecommunications infrastructure, improving online services, and investing in human capital development,'' the report stated. ''They have implemented various strategies and initiatives to boost their digital capabilities, such as expanding broadband access, developing e-government platforms, and promoting digital literacy among their populations,'' it added. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for E-Government David Almirol Jr. underscored that these milestones reflect the government's sustained efforts to digitalize public services as well as make them more accessible and secure. 'This global recognition by the UN validates the Philippines' digital transformation roadmap under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aligning with his vision to make government services more efficient, inclusive, and future-ready,' Almirol said in a press release. Almirol said the recognition follows the successful rollout of several major digital platforms by the DICT, particularly the eGov PH Super App, which has more than 13 million users and offers 47 integrated service modules with over 150 million transactions. The eGovDX platform, meanwhile, has facilitated over 500 million transactions connected to more than 1,000 national and local government agency systems. —KG, GMA Integrated News
