Latest news with #SustainableDevelopment
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE shapes sustainable development future through 2045 SDG report and global survey
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: 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).
Zawya
a day ago
- Politics
- Zawya
UAE inaugurates first-of-its-kind SDG exhibition at UN HQ
New York-USA – The UAE has held its first national exhibition at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City, as part of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2025. Titled "Shaping Tomorrow: UAE Leadership for a Sustainable Future", the exhibition reflects the UAE's commitment to expanding international action to achieve SDGs, as well as its involvement in shaping the future of global development. The inauguration was attended by Her Excellency Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General; His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN; His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, and head of the UAE delegation participating in the HLPF; alongside representatives from international organizations and government delegations from around the world. Platform for Showcasing Inclusive Development The exhibition was organised jointly by entities including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Investment, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), Dubai Chambers, and Noor Dubai Foundation, a member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). The entities showcased their experiences and globally replicable initiatives in sustainable development, including in innovation, climate action, community empowerment. Beyond 2030: Four Pillars for Development The exhibition is the first of its kind organised by the UAE at the UN HLPF. It offers an interactive experience that highlights the UAE's journey in supporting sustainable development goals since the Rio Summit in 2000. The exhibition represents an extension of the dialogue initiated by the UAE in the Government Experience Exchange Programme with more than 170 leaders and decision-makers during the World Government Summit 2023. The exhibition presents the framework of sustainable development goals as an ambitious vision for the UAE beyond 2030, based on four main pillars: integrating sustainability into national policies and legislation; monitoring impact through accurate indicators and data; developing a flexible development model through 'Future Zones'; and enhancing international partnerships through knowledge sharing, particularly through the Government Experience Exchange Programme. HE Abdullah Lootah: the Exhibition Reflects UAE's Commitment to a More Sustainable Future His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah said: 'The UAE is committed to sharing best practices and successful experiences with partners around the world. The 'Shaping Tomorrow" exhibition embodies the UAE's vision for a global development pathway based on partnership, knowledge sharing, and innovation. This reflects the UAE's approach to creating solutions that can be scaled globally and reflects its commitment to supporting global dialogue on the post-2030 era. This includes initiatives like the Government Experience Exchange Programme.' National Initiatives Supporting Global Goals The exhibition highlighted major national development efforts that have had global impact. The Ministry of Interior showcased its "Green Justice" initiative in Latin America, aimed at combating transnational environmental crimes, as part of its efforts supporting SDG 17. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) presented its contributions to financing projects in 100+ countries, supporting infrastructure, education, and renewable energy. The Supreme Committee for Motherhood and Childhood showcased its initiatives aimed at empowering women and children, including the "National Child Empowerment Guide" and the "Emirati Children's Parliament," which enhance children's participation in decision-making in support of SDG 5. Noor Dubai Foundation presented its model for combating visual impairments in support of SDG 3. This includes the iBSAR project in Asia and Africa, which provides preventive and therapeutic care. EAD showcased its efforts in protecting marine ecosystems through initiatives such as the "Marine Turtle Protection Program" and smart monitoring technologies for coral reefs, aligning with SDG 14. UAE Model for Integrated Development These initiatives exemplify the integration between the UAE's national vision and its global commitments, by linking local policies with international development goal.
Scoop
a day ago
- Health
- Scoop
‘You Have To Be Able To Rule Your Life': The Care Revolution In Latin America
The workers we don't pay or see are grandmothers, mothers, daughters — the women who take care of children, look after ill family members and give dignity to the elderly. To do this vital care work, they give up formal employment with pay cheques. 'Our system is designed as if women didn't do care work, and that forces us to choose between raising children or working,' said Meredith Cortés Bravo, a founder of a grassroots organization in Chile that supports these women. But, in Latin America, this is slowly changing – a care revolution is underway that is asking governments and employers to consider what it would mean to recognise, protect and fund care work. 'Care is essential for every family and for every community. The revolution is to make it visible, to make it valuable and to invest,' María Noel Vaeza, UN Women's regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, told UN News. The most off-track goal The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development is convening at UN Headquarters in New York in order to discuss progress – or lack thereof – towards the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While 18 per cent of the Goals are on track for 2030, achieving gender equality remains the most off-track. Discriminatory laws and gender-based norms persist worldwide, with women dedicating approximately twice as many hours to unpaid care work as men. 'Gender equality is not a side issue. It is central to peace, it is central to justice and it is central to sustainable development and the credibility of the multilateral system itself,' Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, said at a forum session this week. The revolution is underway Before the revolution began, Latin America faced a care crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Ms. Vaeza. There was not enough care available outside of the home for sick people, forcing society to recognise that taking care of others is work. 'Unpaid care work is what keeps the economy running, but it's unfair because it's invisible, undervalued and underfunded. We must recognise it,' Ms. Vaeza said. In Latin America, a number of countries are actively working to redesign their care economies, ensuring more protections and income for the women and men who provide this work. 'The biggest shift has been putting care at the centre of public policy, not just academic debates,' said Virginia Gontijo, UN Women's programme lead in Brazil. This work is already bearing fruit. In Chile, one of the region's most ambitious care systems is already delivering in 151 municipalities, with the ultimate goal of reaching 75,000 people in the next few years. UN Women is working with governments and civil society groups to ensure that these new systems, policies and laws are shaped by and for caregivers. A care system in Brazil worked closely with an activist network to train caregivers in labour rights and promote long-term professional development. 'I never felt my work was valued, but after this project, I feel better prepared to take part in political discussions and make our voices heard,' said Lucileide Mafra Reis, a domestic worker activist in Brazil. Care is a human right Mexico and Peru have taken a more rights-based approach to care, codifying it as a basic human right. While the international community has yet to make a similar guarantee, Ms. Vaeza said that the human rights framework is an exceptionally effective one – it restores dignity and recognises that care is a fundamental part of human life trajectories, from birth to death. 'If you say that care is a human right, it means that the government and the state have to provide support,' said Ms. Vaeza. It is equally as important that employers protect women's right to do care work, said Aideé Zamorano González, a mother who founded Mama Godin, an organization in Mexico which evaluates the impact of care policies on women. This means ensuring that workplaces have policies that are supportive of mothers as workers, such as schedules that allow them to drop their children off at school. For her, these sorts of policies are crucial for women's rights and particularly for their freedom and autonomy. 'You have to be able to rule your life,' Ms. Zamorano González told UN News. Beyond just autonomy, however, it is also about safety. If a woman can make her own money – and therefore, her own decisions – she can leave abusive relationships and avoid economic exploitation. 'Every other type of violence depends on the economic power that you have. If you have the ability to make your own decisions and own money, you are safer,' said Ms. Zamorano González. An economic investment Changes to legal classifications and governmental support for care work not only benefit the caregivers, but also promote economic growth across societies. '[Care] is an investment, a strategic investment for social justice, for gender equality and for sustainable development,' Ms. Vaeza said. She noted that dedicating government funds to paying caregivers will return the investment three-fold, both by increasing their purchasing power and by generating tax revenue. In Chile and Colombia, new care systems are estimated to contribute 25.6 per cent and 19.6 per cent respectively to their national GDPs, according to UN Women. 'When you invest in a women's organization, you strengthen a living network, a tree with many branches that reaches places no office or institutional programme ever could,' Ms. Bravo said. Export the revolution Latin America's progress on care is a model for other regions around the world and demonstrates the importance of changing legal frameworks for women and girls, according to Ms. Vaeza. 'It's extremely important that this revolution be exported. It's an investment, a strategic investment for social justice, for gender equality and for sustainable development,' she said. While the revolution is ongoing, Ms. Zamorano González underlined the importance of economic empowerment for women as a means to protect their own rights even when laws and policies fall short. 'We are under capitalism, so while we change the system, let's play the game. Let's get our own means to have freedom,' she said.
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
UAE shares model for women empowerment in New York
The UAE has reaffirmed the critical role of women empowerment and gender equality in achieving the United Nations' (UN) 2030 Agenda during the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York. The UAE delegation highlighted the nation's model for women empowerment, gender equality, and its focus on motherhood and childhood as the basis for inclusive and sustainable growth. The UAE built this model through the comprehensive empowerment system that it provides for women and families, who form the nucleus of society and guarantee the sustainability of human, social, and economic development. The UAE delegation presented national policies and legislation that have contributed to increasing the number of women in leadership and decision-making positions. This includes the Equal Pay Law and the Constitution guaranteeing equal opportunities for both genders. The delegation highlighted several milestones, including the fact that women now represent 50% of Federal National Council members and 26% of Cabinet members. Women also constitute 46% of STEM graduates in the UAE and 80% of the scientific leadership team in the Emirates Mars Mission. The delegation also addressed the UAE's role in supporting women empowerment globally through initiatives like Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak's Women in Peace and Security Initiative. The delegation concluded by reiterating the UAE's willingness to share its expertise and success with the international community to promote gender equality towards 2030 and beyond. Bridging the digital gender gap The National Secretariat on SDGs and the UAE Consulate General in New York City hosted a roundtable on 'Accelerating Innovation in Promoting Gender Equality to Continue Achieving Sustainable Development in the Post-2030.' The discussion explored bridging the digital gender gap, transforming the care economy, and empowering women in leadership. It presented scalable solutions and practical models to drive progress around SDG 5. The discussion featured contributions from Savannah Mazhya, Minister of Information and Communications Technology in the Kingdom of Eswatini and Chair of the Global Council for SDG 5; Abdulla Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs; Dr Manal Taryam, CEO and Board Member of Noor Dubai Foundation; while other participants included Chelsea Molden, Executive Director of the Public Policy Lab; Stephanie Sirota from RTW Investments in Life Sciences; and Andrew Billo, Head of Partnerships at the UN Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls. Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs, said: 'Over decades of sustainable development centred on the family, the UAE has made community empowerment both the finish line and the starting point of development. This approach is what the UAE is ready to share with everyone around the world. 'Through the UAE's participation in HLPF, and through the delegation's meetings and partnerships, we are sharing knowledge gained in empowering society to ensure inclusive development.' Additionally, the UAE delegation shared the country's experiences in establishing the National Committee on SDGs in 2017 during its participation in an event organised by the Government of Qatar to introduce the agenda of the second edition of the Global Summit for Social Development, which will be held in Doha from 4-6 November. Recently, the UAE, through the Gender Balance Council, took part in the BRICS Women's Affairs Ministerial Meeting in Brazil, addressing women's economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, digital safety, and climate action. On this occasion, Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of UAE Gender Balance Council, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, praised Brazil's leadership of the BRICS group and reaffirmed the UAE's dedication to global collaboration that uplifts women and ensures sustainable, inclusive growth. Sheikha Manal stated that 'economic empowerment is not only a basic right for women; it is a national priority and a driver of sustainable growth and innovation.' She emphasised that gender balance is central to the UAE's national agenda and that economic empowerment for women is a strategic priority that drives innovation and resilience.
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mid East Info
UAE shares model for women empowerment and gender equality with international community - Middle East Business News and Information
Women empowerment foundational to all 2030 SDGs, hears high-level roundtable at UN HLPF UAE delegation hosts roundtable on innovation and bridging the digital gender gap Dubai- 2025 – The UAE has reaffirmed the critical role of women empowerment and gender equality in achieving the United Nations' (UN) 2030 Agenda during the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York. The UAE delegation highlighted the nation's model for women empowerment, gender equality, and its focus on motherhood and childhood as the basis for inclusive and sustainable growth. The UAE built this model through the comprehensive empowerment system that it provides for women and families, who form the nucleus of society and guarantee the sustainability of human, social, and economic development. The UAE delegation presented national policies and legislation that have contributed to increasing the number of women in leadership and decision-making positions. This includes the Equal Pay Law and the Constitution guaranteeing equal opportunities for both genders. The delegation highlighted several milestones, including the fact that women now represent 50% of Federal National Council members and 26% of Cabinet members. Women also constitute 46% of STEM graduates in the UAE and 80% of the scientific leadership team in the Emirates Mars Mission. The delegation also addressed the UAE's role in supporting women empowerment globally through initiatives like Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak's Women in Peace and Security Initiative. The delegation concluded by reiterating the UAE's willingness to share its expertise and success with the international community to promote gender equality towards 2030 and beyond. Promoting innovation and bridging the digital gender gap: The National Secretariat on SDGs and the UAE Consulate General in New York City hosted a roundtable on 'Accelerating Innovation in Promoting Gender Equality to Continue Achieving Sustainable Development in the Post-2030.' The discussion explored bridging the digital gender gap, transforming the care economy, and empowering women in leadership. It presented scalable solutions and practical models to drive progress around SDG 5. The discussion featured contributions from Her Excellency Savannah Mazhya, Minister of Information and Communications Technology in the Kingdom of Eswatini and Chair of the Global Council for SDG 5; His Excellency Abdulla Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs; Dr Manal Taryam, CEO and Board Member of Noor Dubai Foundation; while other participants included Chelsea Molden, Executive Director of the Public Policy Lab; Stephanie Sirota from RTW Investments in Life Sciences; and Andrew Billo, Head of Partnerships at the UN Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls. HE Lootah: 'The UAE has built a pioneering global model that supports social progress HE Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs, said: 'Over decades of sustainable development centred on the family, the UAE has made community empowerment both the finish line and the starting point of development. This approach is what the UAE is ready to share with everyone around the world. 'Through the UAE's participation in HLPF, and through the delegation's meetings and partnerships, we are sharing knowledge gained in empowering society to ensure inclusive development.' Additionally, the UAE delegation shared the country's experiences in establishing the National Committee on SDGs in 2017 during its participation in an event organised by the Government of Qatar to introduce the agenda of the second edition of the Global Summit for Social Development, which will be held in Doha from 4-6 November.
