‘We need to do more’ to transform the world, deputy UN chief tells African audiences

During her current trip to South Africa, Deputy-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has spoken at several events in Johannesburg, on the importance of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development - the UN’s blueprint to end extreme poverty, fight injustice, and protect the planet, ensuring that no one is left behind.

World 21:18 04.12.2018

Gender-equality

Ms. Mohammed’s packed Sunday schedule began with a morning session, the Motsepe Foundation Breakfast, on the subject of Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”

The talk, she pointed out, took place during UN Women’s 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls.

Explaining why a stand-alone Goal for gender equality is necessary, she said that “the issue of inequality is deeply rooted and engrained in all societies, and it prevents us from truly prospering, developing and creating a more peaceful world.”

In addition, The Deputy-Secretary-General said that femicide is a pandemic, with 6 women killed by an intimate partner of family member every hour. She also highlighted that only 5 per cent of countries have a female head of state, and that women always suffer disproportionately in times of conflict: “Not just sexual violence, but all forms of violence against women escalate, and pre-existing gender inequalities are exacerbated,” she said.

AIDS

Sunday was also World AIDS Day, and Ms. Mohammed gave a keynote speech at a High-level event on Adolescent Girls and Young Women, with the Global Fund to end AIDS, TB and malaria, and the Government of South Africa: the Day was, she said, an opportunity to “reflect on the great progress that has been made, both here in South Africa and around the world but also to intensify our efforts towards ending this for good.”

Commending South Africa for taking decisive steps to end the epidemic, she said that the elimination of AIDS is one of the specific targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”

Call to action

At two other events, Ms. Mohammed said that more needs to be done if the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to become a reality: at the Global Citizens Festival, she said that the 17 Goals are the roadmap to end poverty and take climate action, but “it is not enough, we need to more,” and, at the SDG Advocates Reception, she called for more concrete actions, especially in funding, to “move the needle” in areas such as health, education, climate, and gender equality; for governments to be pressed to accelerate action; and for a people’s movement to be mobilized now, to work towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Private sector and the SDGs

On Monday Ms. Mohammed spoke at a private sector breakfast on the SDGs, where she pointed out that the 2030 Agenda is of particular importance to Africa, given the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by the continent: “These range from climate change to poverty, from hunger to youth unemployment and illiteracy, from political instability and corruption to violence, terrorism and civil wars.”

The Deputy UN chief pointed out that, in order to realize the 2030 Agenda, current business models must change, focusing on long-term value rather than short-term thinking: many African businesses, she said, are already taking action to drive progress across the region.

Ms. Mohammed thanked those African business leaders who have already signed up to the Global Compact, the UN’s flagship body for sustainable business, and invited companies who have not yet done so, to join the initiative: Global Compact Local Networks play an essential role in mobilizing business to fight corruption, contribute to national SDG Action Plans and policies, and support initiatives that promote peace and stability.

Azerbaijan takes measures to turn Khankandi into safe city - VİDEO

News line

Another 138 IDPs leave for Fuzuli
09:28 29.03.2024
Netanyahu: "We have strategic assets of Hamas"
09:17 29.03.2024
Date of next meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Parliament Speakers announced
09:00 29.03.2024
Russia prepares for new offensive in May-June l – says Zelensky
23:52 28.03.2024
Russian investigators have evidence of Ukraine link to Crocus terrorists
22:24 28.03.2024
Committee members of the EU Council will visit the South Caucasus region
19:48 28.03.2024
Bayern to pay Thomas Tuchel 12M euro compensation
Bayern to pay Thomas Tuchel 12M euro compensation
19:00 28.03.2024
Crocus City Hall terrorists took drugs before attack - law enforcement agencies
Crocus City Hall terrorists took drugs before attack - law enforcement agencies
18:33 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan, UN Development Program mull future co-op
18:00 28.03.2024
An Independent Trade Union Established within International Eurasia Press Fund - First in NGO sector - PHOTOS
17:39 28.03.2024
Italian PM condemns Macron for idea of sending troops to Ukraine
Italian PM condemns Macron for idea of sending troops to Ukraine
17:23 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan lends clarity to color requirement for taxis
17:02 28.03.2024
Isaac Herzog: Israel has no greater friend than US, and US has no greater friend than Israel
Isaac Herzog: Israel has no greater friend than US, and US has no greater friend than Israel
16:45 28.03.2024
Nigerian army eliminates over 200 militants in 2 weeks
16:30 28.03.2024
Armored Vehicle Coalition for Ukraine launched in Poland
Armored Vehicle Coalition for Ukraine launched in Poland
16:15 28.03.2024
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
15:55 28.03.2024
Türkiye plays an important role between Russia and Ukraine - says political scientist Ismail Cingoz
15:45 28.03.2024
2 schoolchildren detained in France on suspicion of sending bomb threats
15:35 28.03.2024
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
15:26 28.03.2024
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
15:15 28.03.2024
Media: US did not transfer all information about terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall to Russia
15:00 28.03.2024
Movement ‘Together’ calls on Armenia’s parliamentary forces to express vote of no confidence in Pashinyan
14:41 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
14:32 28.03.2024
Le Pen accuses French government of fraud
14:22 28.03.2024
Armenian Government Grapples with Internal Division on Village Return Issue - Ishkhan Verdiyan talks on Ednews
14:12 28.03.2024
Ammunition found along route of Crocus City Hall terrorists
Ammunition found along route of Crocus City Hall terrorists
13:41 28.03.2024
Expert Ilyas Huseynov Predicts Peaceful Return of these territories to Azerbaijan
13:20 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 29
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 29
12:55 28.03.2024
Russian MFA concerned about upcoming Armenia-US-EU meeting
12:23 28.03.2024
Secret Points of Pashinyan's Meeting with French Representative: Is Peace Agreement Signing Imminent?
12:00 28.03.2024
Armenia announces recruitment of border guards to work at Zvartnots
Armenia announces recruitment of border guards to work at Zvartnots
11:47 28.03.2024
The US-Armenia-EU Joint Conference is a part of the pressure plan on Azerbaijan - MP Konul Nurullayeva
11:30 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan’s central bank reduces discount rate
Azerbaijan’s central bank reduces discount rate
11:23 28.03.2024
CSTO chief: ‘Yerevan doesn’t participate in our work, but there are no statements about suspension’
11:13 28.03.2024
Ammunition found in Khankandi
Ammunition found in Khankandi
11:00 28.03.2024
Russia had been aware of preparation for terrorist attack at Crocus - says intelligience chief
10:46 28.03.2024
Scholtz reveals date of his last telephone conversation with Putin
Scholtz reveals date of his last telephone conversation with Putin
10:33 28.03.2024
Head of the SSS: France is inciting Armenia to a new war
10:21 28.03.2024
Are we in the brink of World War III? - Pundit talks on Ednews
10:10 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan's National Security: Reflecting on 105 Years of Defending Sovereignty
09:55 28.03.2024
Hamısı