The Government of Guyana in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday began talks to accelerate steps to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs form part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which was adopted by UN Member States.
The meeting was held with Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, UN Resident Coordinator to Guyana Mikiko Tanaka and their team.
Dr. Singh said the meeting set the stage for a renewed engagement with the UN towards achieving the SDGs. He said the meeting was used to highlight where Guyana stands on achieving the Goals and laid a foundation for continuous engagements.
“The country is going through a period of dramatic change and as a Government we are certainly cognisant of the implications of the changes that are imminent and what they will mean not only for the economy but for the wellbeing of our people. Our aim is to improve the wellbeing of all Guyanese in the shortest possible time through, both establishing a conducive and positive broad police framework, but also through a number of specific interventions aimed at improving people’s lives,” Dr. Singh stated.
UN Resident Coordinator, Tanaka said that the UN is currently working on a country analysis to diagnose areas of focus on the development agenda for Guyana. She said it focuses on Guyanese who are left behind on development so they can live their full lives, have access to services and get jobs.
Tanaka noted that like around the world, the deadly pandemic has slowed the progress made by Guyana in achieving the SDGs.
“If you look at the Sustainable Development Goals, all the progress all around the world has been impacted negatively, the economic impact is serious, many people have lost jobs, health is a serious issue and a challenge for all the countries so that is something we need to look at for 2020 and how to help Guyana respond to the crisis which is still going on but also to recover from it and get back on track for the sustainable development agenda,” she said.
The SDGs cover poverty; hunger; health; education; water and sanitation; affordable energy; decent work and economic growth; industry; innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace; justice and strong institutions and partnerships for the Goals.
