When world leaders meet at the UN General Assembly 2023, in New York on Monday, they have an entire gamut of topics to discuss. The agenda will cover questions related to international development and how to tackle climate change.
They are also likely to discuss the Russia’s war in Ukraine. A high-level meeting will be held to examine the most recent developments on the ground and what actions can be taken moving forward. However, few believe there will be any major diplomatic breakthroughs.
Sustainable Development Goals Summit
As the highlight of UNGA 78’s high-level week, the SDG Summit will be the focal point for Heads of State and Government to give political leadership on the execution of the 2030 Agenda, the wide-reaching global action plan zeroed in on accomplishing the 17 SDGs.
Starting off the high-level week, from Sep 18 to 19, the SDG Summit strives to mark the beginning of another period of progress towards the objectives, which has eased back, coming full circle with the adoption of a forward-looking political declaration.
The 2030 Agenda is a commitment, not an assurance. At the midway mark (the Agenda was launched in 2015), that commitment is in profound risk. Development progress is confronting the effects of climate disasters, conflict, monetary slump, and lingering effects of Coronavirus.
“The SDG Summit in September must be a moment of unity to provide a renewed impetus and accelerated actions for reaching the SDGs,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said.
The two-day event will act as an acclamation to recharge momentum. It likewise plans to give high-level political direction, identify progress and emerging challenges, and activate further actions towards the 2030 end goal.
Focus on how to handle climate crisis
On Sep 20, world leaders will be hoping to change words into action at the Climate Ambition Summit. A political achievement for walking the talk to handle the steadily demolishing climate crisis, the event will zero in on three important aspects: ambition, credibility, and implementation.
The big issue: How best to move the world from emission-producing fossil fuels to green and clean power.
The UN Secretary-General’s “to-do” lists refer to substantial actions required from government, business, and finance leaders, from his Climate Action Acceleration Agenda to a manual for five critical actions the world should initiate to speed the shift to sustainable energy.
“Now must be the time for ambition and action. I look forward to welcoming first movers and doers at my Climate Ambition Summit. The world is watching, and the planet can’t wait,’ the UN chief said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is supposed to join in and may deliver a speech to the UN Security Committee about the conflict in his country.
In any case, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron won’t attend the summit. There are reports that the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will likewise not join in.