News

British and Dutch Caribbean Rally Around the United Nations Framework for Sustainable Development – Global Issues

Castle, Comfort Dominica. Dominica is the latest Caribbean country to join the United Nations Multinational Sustainable Development Framework, which aims to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and post-COVID-19 recovery Source: Alison Kentish / IPS
  • by Alison Kentish (dominican)
  • Joint press service

Support for the 2022 to 2026 agreement has continued to grow since December 2021, when Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Guyana signed a framework of cooperation, which will hopefully help the countries achieve it. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For countries in the Caribbean, one of the most vulnerable globally, the framework is an important tool that, based on building climate and economic resilience, promotes peace. equality, promoting peace, safety and the rule of law.

It is also important for a country like Dominica, which in 2017 lost US$1.4 billion or 226% of GDP due to Hurricane Maria. The small island nation is on a mission to build resilience across sectors through initiatives like Climate resilience and adaptation planwhile grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

Country representatives have used platforms such as the United Nations General Assembly to urge development partners to consider the unique vulnerabilities of small island states in their support packages.

The country’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the United Nations framework would help Caribbean governments implement programs to strengthen health, education and social services while contributing to economic growth.

“We are operating in a tumultuous time defined by major environmental and climate-related challenges, conflict and economic uncertainty. This agreement proposes to help our small territories face the challenges of our times and achieve economic resilience and prosperity. That is reason for optimism as we work together to find a way to solve our common problems,” he said.

The agreement builds on the framework of the 2017-2022 period that has been signed by 18 Caribbean countries. Initiatives within that framework focus on areas such as building resilience in the Caribbean and implementing climate-resilient, low-emission technology in agriculture.

United Nations officials say that the new agreement, known as a ‘second-generation framework,’ considers the lessons learned. Developed during a pandemic, it also acknowledges that COVID-19 presents many complex structural vulnerabilities to Caribbean countries, which must now ‘build back better.’

“This new agreement ushers in a new era of cooperation that fosters cooperation and shared commitment for the Dominican people,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Didier Trebucq at the signing ceremony. Dominican Union.

For months, leaders across the Caribbean have talked about the danger of not meeting Sustainable development goalsas they redirect scarce resources in response to a protracted pandemic.

According to preliminary data from the UN, Goals 1 to 6, known as ‘people-centered goals,’ have been severely impacted by COVID-19.

Prime Minister of Barbados, the first leader in the group of Barbados and OECS to sign MSDCFsaid the pandemic has slowed progress towards the SDG goals.

“We will have a hard time fighting poverty, we will have a hard time making sure that people don’t go hungry, we will have a hard time ensuring that everyone has access to health. Good and welfare, as we know, has been happening during the pandemic. We will have a hard time providing quality education and who are the biggest victims of this pandemic if not our children around the world, many of whom have been denied access. education for not having access to things like electricity and online tools to be able to get it,” said Prime Minister Mia Mottley, referring to Goals 1 to 4.

She said Goals 5 and 6 – Gender Equality and Clean Water and Sanitation are also at risk, noting that women have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, while countries like Barbados continued interest in groundwater access in the face of the climate crisis.

The MSDCF was developed by six UN Country Teams, following rounds of consultation with government agencies, the private sector, development partners and civil society organisations.

It will work on two levels; in the region by applying shared approaches to common and country-wide challenges to address country and territory-specific problems and vulnerabilities, and to help governments prepare for future external shocks.

According to the MSDCF, the vision is for the region to become more resilient, “with greater capacity to achieve all of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to be a place where people choose to live and can reach their full potential.” their abilities”.

It promises to provide more effective assistance to the signatories, through the judicious use of United Nations resources and in line with the goals of the United Nations. Reform of the UN development system.

It hopes to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and facilitate a faster recovery from the health and socioeconomic impact of COVID-19, with one region’s voice on a common path of development.

Report of the United Nations Office IPS


Follow IPS News UN Office on Instagram

© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service

Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button